THE PLACE TO BE: WHY WORCESTER SIX IS BECOMING THE ADDRESS OF CHOICE
Work on the £120 million Worcester Six business park is progressing fast, with major businesses having moved into their new buildings, and new high-tech facilities being constructed as development continues.
The £120 million business park, located off Junction 6 of the M5, is one of the four key investment sites across the county where Worcestershire County Council and its partners are looking to develop, creating additional jobs, and with huge progress having been made in the past six months, those jobs are fast materialising.
At the beginning of the year, Kimal PLC – a leading manufacturer and supplier of products for the healthcare sector – took occupation of its new £13m headquarters at the site, relocating 77 staff from Droitwich to its new base.
Stoford Developments delivered the 140,000 sq ft design-and-build unit on time and on budget to allow the business to kick off 2019 in situ.
Hot on Kimal’s heels was private hospital provider Spire Healthcare, which has now moved into its new 72,500 sq ft, £9 million premises just 12 months after work began at the site.
Meanwhile work is well underway on a £20 million environmentally friendly development that will bring a leading UK kitchen and bathroom manufacturer to the site.
Kohler Mira, parent company of Mira Showers, announced its plans last year to expand its UK operations by committing to a 158,000 sq ft unit at the park, marking and a significant investment for the company.
Worcestershire-based contractor Bennimans, is now constructing the distribution, training and office unit for the manufacturer, aiming to hand over the building in December.
Photo: benniman.reachtimelapse.co.uk
Charles D’Auncey, of Harris Lamb’s Agency team, said: “When Stoford announced its intention to speculatively develop this site back in 2015, it was a very proactive step. Demand for industrial stock was beginning to outstrip supply, and the developer recognised an opportunity to create a prime business address within the region.
“With Siemens, Spire and Kimal now successfully established on-site, Kohler Mira’s site under construction, and a further 28,500 building comprising offices, research and development facilities, assembly line, showroom, mock-up cellar, and a catering kitchen having been handed over to Marmon Food & Beverage Equipment earlier this month, that proactive approach has really paid off: the park is fast becoming the address of choice for businesses seeking high-spec, built-to-suit properties to enhance their operations.
L-R – Martin Head, A&H Construction; Councillor Richard Morris, Worcestershire County Council; Jane Harrison, Liberty Property Trust; Simon Felton, Cornelius Beverage Technologies; Stephen Butterworth, Worcestershire County Council; Gerard Ludlow, Stoford Developments; Gary Woodman, Worcestershire LEP.
“These state-of-the-art facilities are a fantastic advert for the standard of building Stoford is able to deliver to its occupiers, and we’re looking forward to attracting further inward investment to the region as a result.”
Once fully developed, Worcester Six will provide 1.5 million sq ft of accommodation.
For more details of further opportunities at the site, contact Charles.dauncey@harrislamb.com