Commercial property developer Stoford has secured funding for the construction of a speculative unit at Worcester Six Business Park.

It has signed a funding agreement with Cabot Properties, the international private equity real estate firm, for a 37,800 sq ft unit, adjacent to Kimal and ZwickRoell, on the business park, which is close to junction 6 of the M5.

Work has already started and completion is expected in April 2023.

Edward Peel, Stoford’s Development Director, said the unit, which will comprise 33,800 sq ft of flexible commercial space and 4,000 sq ft of offices, has been specified to suit a range of occupiers and has E(g), B2 and B8 planning consent.

The unit will benefit from photovoltaic roof panels and will achieve EPC A. Overall, the business park achieves a BREEAM rating of ‘Very Good’.

“Worcester Six Business Park has been a huge success story for the area, attracting a number of world-class companies that want to be based in a high-quality location, with a secure, managed and landscaped setting,” he said.

“Its strategic location also means it is well placed for the major road networks and motorways. There is strong demand for units of this size in the area and we’re confident that now that funding is in place and we’ve started works on site, we’ll receive a significant number of enquiries.”

In the past three years, Stoford has announced the arrival of Marmon Food and Beverage Equipment, Siemens, Spire Healthcare, Kimal, Kohler Mira, ZwickRoell, Alliance Flooring Distribution and IONOS at Worcester Six. Once fully developed, Worcester Six will provide 2.1 million sq ft of accommodation.

Stoford appointed BNP Paribas to secure a funding partner and it, with Harris Lamb, has been retained to secure a tenant for the unit ahead of practical completion.

Leading commercial developer Stoford, which is behind the development that is anticipated to deliver more than 2 million sq ft of employment space when it is complete, said the bus route is good news for people working there.

The W6 minibus is operated by LMS Travel and runs Monday to Saturday from Worcester Crowngate.

Edward Peel, development director at Stoford, said: “We are delighted to see that this bus service is now in operation, which will encourage more sustainable transport to and from the site.

“Providing public transport opens up more opportunities to local people who want to work at one of the world-class employers that are already here but would prefer not to drive.

“We’ve undertaken extensive work to safeguard the environment and preserve the rich wildlife at the site, and adding a public transport route further enhances the attractiveness of the site to the current prospective occupiers.”

Councillor Mike Rouse, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, said: “We’re delighted to now have a dedicated bus service that runs from Worcester city centre to the business park. The County Council is dedicated to improving transport infrastructure throughout the county.

“It’s great news for staff who work at the site as they now have more options on how to get to and from work every day.”

Councillor Marc Bayliss, Cabinet Member for Economy, Infrastructure and Skills, added: “This is a real plus point for businesses already located on the site and any prospective businesses looking to move in.

“Improving transport infrastructure at one of our game changer sites will help to contribute towards the continued economic growth of the county.”

There are four buses a day: the 25-minute journey from Crowngate to the business park runs at 5.30am, 7.30am and 8.30am and 1.30pm, while from Worcester Six, the service runs at 2.10pm, 17.35pm, 6.30pm and 10.15pm.

The bus stops at: Lowesmoor, Shrub Hill, Ronkshill School, Woodgreen Golf Course and Worcester Six.

There is no Sunday or Bank Holiday service.

In the past three years, Stoford has announced the arrival of Marmon Food and Beverage Equipment, Siemens, Spire Healthcare, Kimal, Kohler Mira, Zwick, Alliance Flooring Distribution and IONOS at Worcester Six. Once fully developed, Worcester Six, which is located just off junction six of the M5, will provide 1.5 million sq ft of accommodation.

Construction has begun on an 180,121 sq ft unit at Worcester Six Business Park for one of the UK’s leading dedicated flooring distribution companies.

Developer Stoford is delivering a bespoke unit for Worcestershire-based Alliance Flooring Distribution, a subsidiary of Victoria PLC, which offers a UK wide storage, cutting and distribution service for both soft and hard flooring and is moving its operations from Kidderminster to unit 7 at the business park.

To meet its targets of reducing its carbon footprint, the build of the unit will be net carbon zero in operation and will feature extensive electric vehicle charging points and photovoltaic panels on the roof.

Stoford is also creating two new ponds, which will further improve the green infrastructure on the business park, provide an attractive setting and also introduce new habitats for wildlife.

Contractor Benniman has been appointed to build the unit, which will comprise 157,000 sq ft of warehousing, as well as 21,000 sq ft of offices and ancillary space.

Completion is expected in Q4 2022 and Alliance Flooring Distribution, which hopes to create a further 60 roles over the next three years, aims to be fully operational on site early 2023.

Edward Peel, Development Manager at Stoford, said: “It’s great news that we have started to build this bespoke unit for Alliance Flooring Distribution. We’ll deliver a high-quality unit on a business park that is already making its mark on the local economy and gaining attention from global and national companies that are keen to base themselves in a strategic location that is convenient for both the south west and the Midlands.

“Worcester Six has attracted several significant employers that are making their homes and are planning their long-term futures here. This is all positive news for Wychavon, in which the business park sits, and surrounding areas.”

Philippe Hamers , CEO of Victoria PLC, said: “A fast and effective distribution network is vital in our industry and this project shows how serious we are about servicing the UK and in an environmentally friendly way.  Worcester 6 futureproofs the fantastic distribution service that we offer both to the Victoria brands and our valued third-party customers.  We are looking forward to seeing the completion of the building works and starting to operate out of this top-notch facility early next year.”

In the past four years, Worcester Six has welcomed Marmon Food and Beverage Equipment, Siemens, Spire Healthcare, Kimal, Kohler Mira and IONOS.

For details about Worcester Six Business Park and other units that can be provided, contact the agent: Charles D’Auncey at Harris Lamb – charles.dauncey@harrislamb.com or Ben Wiley at BNP Paribas – ben.wiley@realestate.bnpparibas

Photograph (l-r): Mel Walstrom (Alliance Flooring Distribution); Gerard Ludlow (Stoford); Kevin Waters (Alliance Flooring Distribution); Richard Morris (Wychavon District Council); Steve Lunn (Alliance Flooring Distribution); Matthew Burgin (Stoford); Jason McHenry (Alliance Flooring Distribution); Phil Yates (MD, Alliance Flooring Distribution); Adrian Baron (Benniman Construction Group); Gary Woodman (Worcestershire LEP); and Claire Madden (Brasier Freeth).

Youngsters at a small village first school in Worcestershire are looking forward to new and improved IT lessons after leading developer Stoford donated new laptops.

Crowle C of E First School, in the village of Crowle, which has just 62 pupils from the ages of four to nine, was provided with funding from Stoford, which is developing the nearby Worcester Six Business Park, for the equipment.

Martina Abbott, headteacher at the school, said: “This generous donation is going to make all the difference to our IT lessons. It means we can revive the curriculum to teach the children mouse control and touch typing, which you can’t do on tablets.

“Our existing computers are very old but because our budget is so small, we had no idea how we could replace them, so this provision is not just timely, it is also very welcome indeed and we can’t thank Stoford enough.”

Gerard Ludlow, Director at Stoford, said: “We were only too pleased to help Crowle First School with its wish to buy new IT equipment for the pupils and hope the children enjoy their lessons with the laptops.”

Stoford has had its plans approved to extend Worcester Six Business Park on the southern side of the site.

Wychavon District Council’s planning committee approved the application today (Thursday, December 9), which means the leading developer will be able to provide up to a further 680,000 sq ft of floorspace on 61.18 acres of land, adjacent to Newtown Road.

An extension has always been part of the Worcester Six Business Park plans and it is included in the South Worcestershire Development Plan, which was adopted in 2016 by councils in south Worcestershire.

Gerard Ludlow, Director at Stoford, said: “This is an important step forward for the growth of Worcester Six and it comes at a time when we are in a strong position to put forward our long-term plans to add carefully designed units that are in keeping with the location. We are looking forward to making a start so that we can attract even more national and international companies to Worcester, bringing much-needed jobs to the area.”

The developer is also fulfilling its commitment to safeguarding and improving the green space at Worcester Six. It has worked with Worcestershire’s Green Infrastructure (GI) Partnership to create a long-term GI Concept Plan, which will see Stoford putting aside 6.55 ha of the site for natural habitats and landscaping, in addition to on-plot landscaping.

Plans include the retention of woodland, grassland areas, and species-rich hedgerows.  New habitats will be created, including a wildflower meadow, a wildlife tower, and a variety of structures to support insects, invertebrates, birds and bats.

Worcester Six Business Park is a few minutes’ drive from junction six of the M5 and home to a number of major national and international companies, including IONOS, Kohler Mira, Spire Healthcare, Cornelius, Kimal, and Materials Solutions.

Worcestershire-based Victoria PLC, the UK’s largest flooring manufacturer and distributor, has been granted permission for a bespoke 180,121 sq ft unit at Worcester Six Business Park.

The planning committee of Wychavon District Council approved plans, submitted by leading developer Stoford, for unit 7, where Victoria PLC will house Alliance Flooring Distribution, one of its businesses.

Both Stoford and Victoria PLC have committed to a more environmentally friendly approach to the development, with the base build of the unit being net carbon zero in operation. It will also have photovoltaic panels on the roof and there will be extensive electric vehicle charging points.

Stoford will also create two new ponds to further improve the green infrastructure on the business park.

Edward Peel, Development Manager at Stoford, said it had secured £28.3 million forward funding for the scheme from Frasers Logistics and Commercial Trust (FLCT), a Singapore-based REIT (real estate investment trust).

Frasers’ acquisition through a forward funding agreement for the facility builds on its strategy to grow its core logistics and industrial portfolio in existing markets.

Stoford aims to start building work in the new year, with an expected completion date of Q4 2022.

“We’re pleased to have been given the go-ahead for another major business to join the raft of global names that have already made their home at Worcester Six,” said Edward.

“This is a thriving business park that is playing a significant role in helping to boost the local economy, thanks to the jobs the businesses are creating, and Victoria PLC will be no exception as it forges ahead with its growth plans.

“We’re looking forward to getting started on delivering the scheme for this historic, local company.”

Victoria PLC, a major employer in Kidderminster since 1900, has agreed a 15-year lease for bespoke unit.

Philippe Hamers, CEO for Victoria PLC, said: “It’s great news that planning approval has been granted. It means we are one step closer to enjoying an exciting new chapter that will enable us to both future-proof and grow our distribution business. We’re looking forward working with Stoford as our bespoke, environmentally friendly unit is built at Worcester Six.”

In the past three years, Worcester Six has welcomed a number of national and global names to the business park, including Zwick Roell, Marmon Food and Beverage Equipment, Siemens, Spire Healthcare, Kimal, Kohler Mira and IONOS.

Victoria PLC was advised by Brasier Freeth and Stoford by BNP Paribas and Harris Lamb.

For details about the scheme and other units that can be provided, contact the agent: Charles D’Auncey at Harris Lamb – charles.dauncey@harrislamb.com or Ben Wiley at BNP Paribas – ben.wiley@realestate.bnpparibas