Construction of a 140,000 sq ft headquarters building at the new £120 million Worcester Six Business Park will begin soon after planners gave the development the green light, it was announced today.

Leading commercial property developer Stoford Developments gained planning consent from Wychavon District Council to build the unit after securing Kimal Plc as the first company to commit to moving to the prestigious site.

Kimal PLC agreed to locate its new headquarters at Worcester Six, located off junction six of the M5 near Worcester. The development will provide 1.5 million sq ft of accommodation and create up to 5,000 jobs.

Kimal, a market leader in developing and manufacturing a range of innovative products and procedural solutions for the healthcare sector, has agreed a 15-year lease for the £13 million unit. Construction will commence in October for the estate road with the main building construction due to commence in early 2018. Practical completion is expected in mid 2018.

The new HQ demonstrates Kimal’s determination to remain in Worcestershire where it will continue to grow, with plans to create up to an additional 100 jobs. The company’s success means it is outgrowing its existing accommodation at Droitwich and Redditch. Employees at these two centres will be relocated to the new HQ. The company will continue to operate at sites in Bromsgrove and Uxbridge.

Gerard Ludlow said: “The agreement with Kimal marked a significant milestone as it was the first pre-let occupier to be secured at the site. Now that we have planning consent we can begin construction and look forward to the company moving to Worcester Six next year.”

Worcestershire County Council Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy and Infrastructure Councillor Dr Ken Pollock said: “We are delighted to see the continued commitment from Kimal to investment and growth in the County.  Confirming Kimal as the first occupier on Worcester Six is a big step forward in the right direction and reinforces Worcester Six as one of the premier employment locations in the Midlands. I look forward to more of the businesses that are currently considering the site committing over the coming months.”

Gary Woodman, Chief Executive of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “It is great to see that planning consent has been approved for the construction of Kimal’s new headquarters at Worcester Six. Kimal’s expansion highlights the benefits of investing in Worcestershire, as the med-tech business has been able to secure a new highly-connected headquarters to continue its rapid growth and create even more jobs for the county’s skilled workforce.”

The first occupier at the £120 million Worcester Six business park has been secured by leading commercial property developer Stoford Developments.

A new 140,000 sq ft business unit is set to be built after Kimal PLC agreed to locate its new headquarters at the prestigious site, located off junction six of the M5 near Worcester. The development will provide 1.5 million sq ft of accommodation and create up to 5,000 jobs.

Kimal, a market leader in developing and manufacturing a range of innovative products and procedural solutions for the healthcare sector, has agreed a 15-year lease for the £13 million unit, Stoford director Gerard Ludlow confirmed.

A planning application will be submitted to Wychavon District Council. If consent is forthcoming, construction could commence in October with practical completion expected in mid 2018.

The new HQ demonstrates Kimal’s determination to remain in Worcestershire where it will continue to grow, with plans to create up to an additional 100 jobs.

The company’s success means it is outgrowing its existing accommodation at Droitwich and Redditch. Employees at these two centres will be relocated to the new HQ. The company will continue to operate at sites in Bromsgrove and Uxbridge.

Kimal is investing £3 million in an initial fit out phase, with a further £3 million investment in facilities in the pipeline. The company was represented by international real estate advisor Savills.

Gerard Ludlow said: “The agreement with Kimal marks a significant milestone as it is the first pre-let occupier to be secured at the site.

“Worcester Six business park has been selected as the preferred site for Kimal’s new facility due to its excellent communications and proximity to its existing employee base. It represents a major commitment by Kimal to the Worcestershire area. The business is a key employer in a prestigious sector.”

Alan Press, Chief Executive Officer at Kimal, said: “The move to Worcester Six demonstrates our continued commitment to the area which we first invested into in 1990 and will help Kimal realise its’ exciting growth plans going forward.”

Worcestershire County Council Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy and Infrastructure Dr Ken Pollock: “Kimal is a very successful family owned business with a proud history of manufacturing in Worcestershire employing more than 330 people. Welcoming a company of this calibre to Worcester Six enhances the region’s reputation as a world-class business location, and will provide a great boost to employment and the regional economy.”

Gary Woodman, Chief Executive of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “We welcome the news that Kimal has become the first investment on to the premier business site, Worcester 6. The creation of new jobs will help to boost the local economy and the expansion of innovative, market leading businesses is important for delivering the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership’s 10 year Strategic Economic Plan. This is the type of business that will define the Worcestershire economy as an excellent place to invest and we therefore look forward to similar announcements in the near future.”

Kimal’s three existing Worcestershire sites provide a manufacturing facility, sales and marketing space and storage and distribution premises. Its HQ will host a number of international guests visiting the site on a regular basis, as well as teams in customer service, product sales, research and development, assembly lines, distribution and the manufacture of medical products.17069_P115 Kimal CGI

Kimal’s turnover last year was approximately £45 million, with 60% of this generated in the UK. It is launching a further dedicated manufacturing facility in Egypt for one of its innovative product ranges. As a company Kimal is a trusted and innovative developer of devices and procedural solutions for a range of clinical departments, and supplies to health organisations in more than 70 countries across the world.

Two new speculatively built industrial units – known as Liberty 162 and Liberty 45 – have been unveiled by Liberty Properties and Stoford Developments as part of a major £120 million development in Worcester.  The units of 162,000 sq ft and 45,000 sq ft are the first to be built at the Worcester Six site – which will provide up to 1.5 million sq ft of accommodation in a range of high quality business units.

The two industrial/warehouse units are expected to reach practical completion in July. They have been designed for a variety of employment uses to include technology, manufacturing, industrial and warehousing.

The many benefits of locating a business at Worcester Six were highlighted at an event attended by property professionals, Worcestershire councillors and business organisations.

Worcester County Council expects Worcester Six, located just off junction six of the M5, to create around 5,000 jobs.  Highways improvements to access the site, under a £10 million infrastructure package, have been funded by Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership through the Growth Deal and have been completed.

Andrew Blevins, managing director of Liberty Property Trust, said: “As we approach practical completion on our first two units, the quality of the product on offer is clearly evident at Worcester Six. The scheme has been received very well by the market and by project stakeholders. We hope to secure our first lettings over the summer and would encourage anyone interested in locating at Worcester Six to get in touch.”

Stoford director Gerard Ludlow said: “The completion of the first two units at this important scheme is an exciting step forward for Worcester Six and clearly demonstrates our confidence in the market.”

Nigel Hudson, Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy at Worcestershire County Council, said: “It is fantastic to see the first buildings delivered on W6.  These buildings are, I hope, the first of many, with the increasing development on this and other game-changing sites across Worcestershire providing new commercial buildings to support the continued economic growth of the county”.

Gary Woodman, Chief Executive of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “It was great to see the Worcester Six industrial units showcased to local stakeholders. The Worcester Six and wider Worcester Growth Corridor developments will have a hugely positive impact on the local economy, by creating thousands of jobs that will benefit a variety of industries.”

 

 

Local dignitaries and construction partners have celebrated work officially commencing at a new £120 million business park in Worcester.

Development partners Stoford and Liberty Property Trust were joined by Gary Woodman, Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, Cllr Linda Robinson, Wychavon Distirct Council, Cllr Ken Pollock, Worcestershire County Council and Cllr Geoff Williams, Worcester City Council at the official launch of work on the 178 acre site.

The park, just off junction 6 of the M5, will provide up to 1.5 million sq ft of accommodation in a range of high quality business units. They have been designed for a variety of employment uses to include technology, manufacturing, industrial and warehousing.

Stoford director Gerard Ludlow said: “We’re delighted to have been able to celebrate the start of construction of the first units at Worcester Six with our development partners Liberty Property Trust and Worcestershire County Council and Wychavon District Council.

“Worcester Six is the first large-scale development in Worcester for 10 years and brings with it considerable investment in the area and opportunities for growth. With work now starting we’re on target for a summer 2017 completion.

Robin Vaughan, associate director at Liberty Property Trust, said: “We are pleased to be developing a product that will be available to end users next year and about which we are ready to have meaningful discussions.”

Gary Woodman, Chief Executive of Worcestershire LEP, said: “It is great to see that work is underway on the development of Worcester Six. The key employment site will help to create thousands of new jobs and will therefore have a hugely positive impact on the local economy. Worcester Six benefits from excellent connectivity and road transport links and really is an ideal location for business investment and opportunities.”

Cllr Ken Pollock, cabinet member for economy, skills and infrastructure said: “I am delighted to see work starting at the Worcester Six site.  The County Council has been championing business growth at this site for some time and as one of the key game changer sites, it will make a tremendous difference to the economic landscape in the county.  This site makes the most of our transport infrastructure and will provide much needed business development space as well as attracting new business in to the area, which ultimately means more jobs.  So good news all round.”

Liberty Property Trust and Stoford were granted detailed planning permission by Wychavon District Council in July for units of 160,000 sq ft and 45,000 sq ft, the first to be built at Worcester Six.

Worcester County Council expects the wider £120 million park to create around 5,000 jobs once the whole development is complete and give Worcestershire’s economy a major boost.  Worcester Six is also one of four game changer sites identified in the county’s Strategic Economic Plan (SEP) – key employment sites seen as important in driving the county’s economic future prosperity.

Work on the £10 million infrastructure package for the park is making good progress with the upgrade to Pershore Lane now complete. These works were funded by the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership through the Government’s Growth Deal to improve traffic flow to junction 6 of the M5 motorway as well as provide access to Worcester Six. Utilities for the site, including gas, electricity and water have been installed by civil engineering and building firm McPhillips, which tunneled under the M5 to connect the site the services.

 

Construction of the first units at a new £120 million business park in Worcester will begin soon, leading commercial property developers Stoford and Liberty Property Trust announced today. The development partners have appointed Worcestershire-based Benniman Construction Group as contractors to build the first two units on the 90-acre site.

The park, just off junction 6 of the M5, will provide up to 1.5 million sq ft of accommodation in a range of high quality business units. They have been designed for a variety of employment uses to include technology, manufacturing, industrial and warehousing.

Liberty Property Trust and Stoford were granted detailed planning permission by Wychavon District Council in July for units of 160,000 sq ft and 45,000 sq ft, the first to be built at Worcester Six.

Worcester County Council expects the wider £120 million park to create around 5,000 jobs once the whole development is complete and give Worcestershire’s economy a major boost. Worcester Six is also one of four game changer sites identified in the county’s Strategic Economic Plan (SEP) – key employment sites seen as important in driving the county’s economic future prosperity.

Work on the £10 million infrastructure package for the park is making good progress with the upgrade to Pershore Lane now complete. These works were funded by the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership through the Government’s Growth Deal to improve traffic flow to junction 6 of the M5 motorway as well as provide access to Worcester Six. Utilities for the site, including gas, electricity and water have been installed by civil engineering and building firm McPhillips, which tunneled under the M5 to connect the site the services.

Stoford director, Gerard Ludlow, said: “With the appointment of Benniman as construction partner, Worcester Six is on track to start construction this month, completing in Q2 2017. As the first large-scale development in Worcester for more than 10 years, we’re seeing plenty of interest in the park and are confident our speculative developments won’t be on the market for long.”

Andrew Blevins, managing director of Liberty Property Trust’s UK operations, said: “It is good to have the prospect of new, quality product developed to a high standard, available to the market soon.”

Steven Smith, Managing Director at Benniman, said: “We are proud to be associated with this prestigious scheme within the local area and look forward to working with Stoford and Liberty to deliver the initial phase of the development project.”

Cllr Ken Pollock, Worcestershire County Council Cabinet Member for Economy, Skills & Infrastructure, said: “The construction of Worcester Six is essential to enabling the county to achieve its economic growth ambitions.”

For more information about Worcester Six visit www.worcester6.co.uk or contact the scheme’s agents charles.dauncey@harrislamb.com / nick.hardie@struttandparker.com /james.watson@dtre.eu

Construction of two large industrial units could soon get underway at a key site in Worcestershire after planners gave this important development the green light.

Liberty Property Trust and Stoford Developments were granted detailed planning permission by Wychavon District Council for units of 160,000 sq ft and 45,000 sq ft, which will be the first to be built at Worcester Six.

The site, just off junction six of the M5, will provide up to 1.5 million sq ft of accommodation in a range of high quality business units. They have been designed for a variety of employment uses to include technology, manufacturing, industrial and warehousing.

Worcestershire County Council expects the wider £120 million park to create around 5,000 jobs once the whole development is complete.

Work on a £10 million infrastructure package for the park is also making good progress with the upgrade to Pershore Lane now complete. These works were funded by the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership through the Government’s Growth Deal to improve traffic flow to Junction 6 of the M5 motorway as well as provide access to Worcester Six.

Stoford director Gerard Ludlow said: “We’re delighted with Wychavon District Council’s decision to approve plans for Worcester Six. The scheme is the first large-scale development designed to capture local and regional demand in the Worcester area for more than 10 years and with this planning approval, we are a step closer to delivering the new buildings in 2017.”

Andrew Blevins, managing director of Liberty Property Trust added: “Worcester Six is a fantastic investment opportunity for local technology-based businesses looking to expand their offering in the area. Wychavon District Council’s decision to approve planning on the site is yet another example of the strength of the Midlands property market and a sign of things to come.”

Councillor Ken Pollock, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy, Skills and Infrastructure at Worcestershire County Council said: “We at the County Council are very pleased with today’s decision. Worcester Six gives us the chance to create thousands of jobs and in addition it will demonstrate that the County is a first class place for development and investment. We look forward to welcoming high tech businesses to occupy the units becoming available in this next exciting chapter for Worcester Six.”

Gary Woodman, Chief Executive of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Today’s decision is great news. Worcester Six is a fantastic site which is suited to a range of industries, including digital and technology companies.

“For any company that is looking for a new location for their business, which benefits from unrivalled transport links, then Worcester Six provides an opportunity not to be missed.”

Contact Ben Wiley at agents Strutt & Parker, Charles D’Auncey at Harris Lamb, Gerard Ludlow at Stoford or Andrew Blevins at Liberty for more information.