Leading property developer Stoford has announced the practical completion of an energy-efficient data centre at Worcester Six Business Park for one of Europe’s largest data-hosting companies.

The 43,708 sq ft unit for IONOS, the largest European-based data hosting company, and Fasthosts, its subsidiary UK brand, comprises a cutting-edge 30,729 sq ft data centre and 12,978 sq ft of ancillary offices.

Completed on time, the unit has a wide range of sustainable and energy-efficient features, including solar photovoltaic panels that cover the entire roof and Tata Steel’s Confidex Sustain wall and roof cladding, which creates a carbon-neutral building envelope.

Gerard Ludlow, Director at Stoford, said: “We’ve made superb progress on this data centre for IONOS and are pleased to announce we have achieved practical completion.

“We are proud to have delivered Wychavon’s first data centre for IONOS and the environmentally friendly facilities are testament to the company’s quest for sustainability, something that we at Stoford are also keen to pursue across all of our sites.

“As Worcester Business Park continues to take shape, it has gained a well-deserved reputation as a first-class site that is attracting global names to the region. Its strategic location and excellent transport links demonstrate that companies recognise it as a place to grow and do business.”

Sab Knight, Head of UK Sales at IONOS, said: “The new Worcester site is crucial for IONOS’ growth in the UK and shows our commitment to further invest in infrastructure and jobs.

“We are very happy that the building was completed on time and have already started the technical fit out of the data centre in what will be the most modern and environmentally friendly IONOS data centre to date. The Worcester Six site will start operation in the first half of 2022 and will host one of the most advanced cloud platforms in Europe.”

Councillor Marc Bayliss, Worcestershire County Council Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy and Skills, said: “It is great news for the county as construction has now finished at IONOS’s unit at Worcester Six Business Park. It’s another clear and visual indication of the progress we have made over recent years, being able to welcome world-renowned businesses to Worcestershire.

“The completion of the IONOS build will provide Worcestershire with a highly valued asset through the company’s connections with data, one of the world’s most valuable commodities, and should bring substantial economic benefits for the county.”

Councillor Richard Morris, Wychavon District Council Deputy Leader and Executive Board Member for Economic Growth and Tourism, said: “I’m delighted with this investment, which delivers not only high quality jobs and a sustainable building but essential IT infrastructure businesses need to develop and expand. It is a sign of the confidence investors have, not only in our growing local economy, but in Worcester Six Business Park itself as Worcestershire’s premier gamechanger site, offering a broad range of employment opportunities for residents.”

IONOS was established in 1988 and is the largest hosting company in Europe, managing more than eight million customer contracts and hosting more than 12 million domains in its regional data centres around the globe. The IONOS group operates in fifteen countries around the world and employs 3,500 people worldwide.

In the past three years, Worcester Six has welcomed Marmon Food and Beverage Equipment, Siemens, Spire Healthcare, Kimal and Kohler Mira. Once fully developed, the business park will provide 1.5 million sq ft of accommodation.

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

Building work has begun at Worcester Six Business Park for a new unit for a global supplier of materials testing machines.

Leading commercial developer Stoford is bringing forward the bespoke office unit for ZwickRoell, a world-leading supplier of static materials testing machines, which will move its UK headquarters to the business park from Leominster, Herefordshire.

Stoford has appointed Benniman to complete the build of a 19,849 sq ft office, from where ZwickRoell will base its office functions. Work is expected to be completed in Q3 2022.

The manufacturer plans to build a 10,000 sq ft assembly unit at a later date, after which it hopes to provide further opportunities to create jobs and expand as a business.

Edward Peel, Development Manager at Stoford, said: “It’s always an exciting time when we begin construction works and it’s especially gratifying that it is for yet another globally renowned, high-tech business, which sees its future at Worcester Six.

“Since we launched the business park in 2017, it has established itself as a first-class location for ambitious companies that recognise its strengths – not just quality units, but also its strategic location, excellent transport links and environmental infrastructure.”

Benno Sadowski, Managing Director for ZwickRoell, said: “We are very happy moving to Worcester Six Business Park, with its excellent strategic location in the UK. Our customers are facing new challenges globally and locally every day, developing and improving all kinds of materials for the future requirements.

“With our experience of more than 160 years in the material testing business, we offer our support and solutions at our new Customer Experience Centre here at Worcester Six Business Park. I’m looking forward to having many interesting discussions with our customers and working together on solutions to making this place a better world, step by step.”

Councillor Marc Bayliss, Worcestershire County Council Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy and Skills said “It’s fantastic news that yet another leading business in their field, ZwickRoell has chosen Worcestershire, as the place to expand its facilities in the UK. This potential development would see a new headquarter and customer experience centre to Worcester Six Business Park. A global leader in materials testing, ZwickRoell is a real success story.”

Shawn Riley, Head of Economic Development at Wychavon District Council, added: “ZwickRoell’s relocation to Worcester Six is another great example of an international company offering first class products and good quality employment choosing Wychavon for its UK base. We welcome and value this investment and look forward to a long and productive relationship with them.

“As a result of ZwickRoell’s investments, the new state-of-the-art office building has an additional 8,000 sq ft capacity to accommodate other businesses seeking new office accommodation in a first-class location. Interested businesses can contact Wychavon District Council for information on this excellent opportunity.”

In the past three years, Stoford has announced the arrival of Marmon Food and Beverage Equipment, Siemens, Spire Healthcare, Kimal, Kohler Mira 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.

Photograph (left to right): Stephen Butterworth, inward investment manager, Worcestershire County Council; Shawn Riley, head of economic development, Wychavon District Council; Edward Peel, Stoford; Benno Sadowski, managing director, ZwickRoell; Bev Smith, director at ZwickRoell.

An international flooring designer, manufacturer and distributor has announced plans to move part of its UK operations to the Worcester Six Business Park as it looks to grow the business.

Worcestershire-based Victoria PLC, the UK’s largest flooring manufacturer and distributor, has specified leading developer Stoford to deliver a bespoke unit at the business park, which will house one of its businesses, Alliance Flooring Distribution.

Stoford has this week submitted a planning application to Wychavon District Council for a 180,121 sq ft unit for the company, which has been a major employer in Kidderminster since 1900 and has agreed a 15-year lease for unit 7.  The facility is expanding its existing locations and will be operational in Q4 2022.

Edward Peel, Development Manager for Stoford, said both Stoford and Victoria PLC are committed to reducing their carbon footprint.  To achieve that, the base 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.

Two new ponds are also being created as part of the build, which will help to further improve the green infrastructure on the business park, providing an attractive setting and new wildlife habitats.

“Attracting yet another global player to Worcester Six is a real success story,” he said. “The building of unit 7 will enable Victoria PLC to continue its growth plans, which can only be good news for the local economy. We’re looking forward to working closely with it as we develop its plans for a sustainable new base.

“Worcester Six is living up to its reputation as a game-changer development. Ambitious businesses are keen to come here and take advantage of the strategic location, the high quality builds and the attractive environment that the business park sits in.”

Philippe Hamers, CEO for Victoria PLC, said a new, bespoke building for Alliances UK headquarters will future-proof the business and allow the continued growth of the Victoria PLC brand portfolio and its third party customers. It hopes to create an additional 60 jobs over the next five years.

“This move will allow us to further develop and grow our workforce using local skills and we are hoping to develop a work experience and apprenticeship scheme in the next two years to complement this and aid our continued growth,” he said.

“The location of Worcester Six is perfect. This gives immediate access to the motorway network. Combine this with how long we have been an employer in this area, the local workforce who have great experience in flooring and the fact that we are able to future-proof our business by building a fit for purpose headquarters in an attractive setting with all of the green credentials we are striving for, offers an exciting future for us.”

In the past three years, Worcester Six has welcomed 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 or Ben Wiley at BNP Paribas.

Leading developer Stoford has submitted plans for an extension at Worcester Six Business Park on the southern side of the site.

Worcester Six Business Park, which is located a few minutes’ drive from junction six of the M5, is home to a number of major national and international companies, including Kohler Mira, Spire Healthcare, Cornelius, Kimal, and Materials Solutions, which has one of Europe’s largest 3D printing facilities. Work has also started on the county’s largest data centre for IONOS.

Stoford has already delivered £75 million of investment to the site and now wants to put into place its original plans to extend the business park to the south, adjacent to Newtown Road, which will provide up to a further 680,000 sq ft of floorspace on 60.14 acres of land.

It has always been the intention to add the land into the business park and it is included in the South Worcestershire Development Plan, which was adopted in 2016 by councils in south Worcestershire.

Stoford held a public consultation on the proposed extension in March, which comprised a focused community engagement exercise, online webinars and meetings. A website and social media campaign also reached more than 14,000 Facebook and LinkedIn users, while mailshots were sent to 800 local homes and there were more than 330 website views during the two-week consultation period.

Gerard Ludlow, Director at Stoford, said: “Worcester Six has quickly established itself as a game-changer development and having attracted a number of businesses to Worcester Six over the past three years, we are now in a strong position to develop the southern extension.”

The developer is also fulfilling its commitment to safeguarding and improving the green space at ensuring 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 40% – approximately eight hectares – of the site for natural habitats and landscaping.

Plans include retention of woodland, wet and rough grassland areas, and species-rich hedgerows.  Approximately 500 metres of poor-quality hedgerow will be removed and replaced with 3,000 metres of new native hedgerows to boost wildlife species. It will also plant more than 250 trees, three hectares of new woodland and shrub planting and 5,000m² of wildflower seeding and native bulb planting.

Stoford, the developer behind Worcester Six, is to launch a public consultation into a proposed extension at the business park, which would drive investment to the region.

Worcester Six Business Park, which is located a few minutes’ drive from junction six of the M5, is home to a number of companies, including Kohler Mira, Spire Healthcare, Cornelius, Kimal, and Materials Solutions, which has one of Europe’s largest 3D printing facilities. Work has also started on the county’s largest data centre for IONOS.

Stoford has already delivered £75 million of investment to the site and it is now looking to prepare an outline planning application to extend the business park to the south, adjacent to Newtown Road, which will provide an additional 60.14 acres of space.

The developer is hosting an online pre-application public consultation between 8 and 22 March, with a live webinar session on Tuesday, 16 March, where members of the public can hear the developer’s plans for the site and ask questions.

Gerard Ludlow, Director at Stoford, said: “This is a pocket of land that has always been earmarked for the business park and is included in the South Worcestershire Development Plan, which was adopted in 2016 by councils in south Worcestershire.

“Now, thanks to our success in attracting world-class employers over the past three years, we are in the position to put forward our plans to develop the Southern Extension.

“It would herald another significant investment in the site and form an important part of our plans for this ‘game changer’ development, which is considered to be an exemplar for its economic and environmental performance.

“While we are currently unable to hold in-person public events, we still want to provide the public with the opportunity to find out more, ask us questions and comment on the plans.”

As well as delivering a first-class business park, Stoford is also committed to ensuring Worcester Six is a valuable green space for the community. It has already completed a wide range of work to safeguard the environment and preserve the rich wildlife at the site.

It has worked with Worcestershire’s Green Infrastructure (GI) Partnership to create a long-term GI Concept Plan, which commits Stoford to making sure 40% – approximately eight hectares – of the site is earmarked for natural habitats and landscaping.

Plans include retention of woodland, wet and rough grassland areas, and species-rich hedgerows.  Approximately 500 metres of poor-quality hedgerow will be removed and replaced with 3,000 metres of new native hedgerows to boost wildlife species. It will also plant more than 250 trees, three hectares of new woodland and shrub planting and 5,000m² of wildflower seeding and native bulb planting.

To review the proposals and register for the webinar, click here or email Stoford at worcester6@turley.co.uk.

Work has commenced on the much-anticipated data centre at the Worcester Six Business Park for one of Europe’s largest data-hosting companies.

Property developer Stoford secured planning for a highly energy-efficient, cutting-edge facility of more than 50,000 sq ft for IONOS and its subsidiary UK brand, Fasthosts.

Sustainability is at the forefront of the development, with renewable energy being provided by solar photovoltaic panels, which cover the entire roof, while the wall and roof cladding uses Tata Steel’s Confidex Sustain to create a carbon-neutral building envelope.

Work is now well underway on site, with building contractor Benniman Construction anticipating completion of works in August 2021.

Edward Peel, Development Manager at Stoford, said: “We have made a really positive start to 2021, with works on the new facility for IONOS commencing within a few short weeks of planning approval from Wychavon District Council.

“We’ve been working closely with IONOS to get to this stage and are looking forward to delivering Wychavon’s first data centre. IONOS is a world-class business that has recognised the strengths of the Worcester Six Business Park, such as the strategic location and excellent infrastructure links.”

Councillor Richard Morris, Executive Board Member for Economic Growth and Tourism at Wychavon District Council, said: “I’m delighted to see work start on this very exciting project. This is further proof that companies recognise Wychavon is a world class place to invest, grow and do business.”

Councillor Ken Pollock, Cabinet Member for Economy and Infrastructure, said: “It is great news for the county as construction begins at IONOS’s unit at Worcester Six Business Park. It’s another clear and visual indication of the progress we have made in welcoming world-renowned businesses to Worcestershire.

“This development continues to strengthen Worcester Six Business Park’s reputation as a first-rate business location. It also provides Worcestershire with a highly valued asset, bringing substantial economic benefits for the county, and I look forward to seeing the business park continue to take shape.”

IONOS was established in 1988 and is the largest hosting company in Europe, managing more than eight million customer contracts and hosting more than 12 million domains in its regional data centres around the globe. The IONOS group operates in fifteen countries around the world and employs 3,500 people worldwide.

In the past three years, Worcester Six has welcomed Marmon Food and Beverage Equipment, Siemens, Spire Healthcare, Kimal and Kohler Mira. Once fully developed, the business park will provide 1.5 million sq ft of accommodation.

For details about the scheme and other units that can be provided, contact the agents: Charles D’Auncey at Harris Lamb – charles.dauncey@harrislamb.com, or Nick Hardie at BNP Paribas Real Estate – Nick.Hardie@realestate.bnpparibas.