Stoford unveils next stage of Worcester Six development

Leading commercial developer Stoford has put forward plans for the next stage of development at its flagship Worcester Six Business Park after attracting a global supplier of materials testing machines. 

It has submitted planning permission for three units, two of which will be occupied by ZwickRoell, a world-leading supplier of static materials testing machines that is planning to move its UK headquarters to the business park, which is located just off junction 6 of the M5, near Worcester. 

Plans submitted to Wychavon District Council are for a 19,849 sq ft office and 10,000 sq ft assembly building. ZwickRoell plans to relocate its office functions from its existing UK site in Leominster, Herefordshire, and intends to build the assembly unit at a future date. 

ZwickRoell says its plans to expand its facilities in the UK to create a customer experience centre at Worcester Six and in the coming years, there will be further opportunities to create jobs and expand as a business furthermore. 

Stoford has also submitted plans to the authority for unit 10C, which is situated directly behind the ZwickRoell unit and comprises 37,800 sq ft of flexible employment space. 

Edward Peel, Development Manager at Stoford, said if planning permission were obtained in February next year, contractors would be on site to start the Zwick office development in April, with an anticipated completion date of March 2021. 

“We’re pleased to have put forward plans for the next stage of development at Worcester Six, which is a world-class site in an area that has superb transport connections and a skilled work force,” he said. 

“It is encouraging to see the continued development on site, where we have seen more than 700,000 sq ft of commercial space secured in the last three years. We look forward to welcoming yet another global tenant to the business park. 

“Unit 10C is still available and subject to securing an occupier, we hope to be in a position to start on site quickly once we have achieved planning permission.” 

Nigel Hudson, Head of Strategic Infrastructure and Economy at Worcestershire County Council said: “It is great to see ZwickRoell a world leading supplier of materials testing machines has chosen Worcester Six Business Park as their UK expansion. Worcester Six continues to prove itself as a world class business location for foreign direct investors in the county and we hope to welcome ZwickRoell as a new occupier in the coming months.“ 

Stoford’s joint letting agents, BNP Paribas and Harris Lamb, are marketing the unit. 

Benno Sadowski, Managing Director for ZwickRoell, said: “We are delighted to be expanding our UK and Ireland operation. Our expansion as a business will mean that ZwickRoell can continue to offer the best consultation and partnerships with new and existing customers, whilst offering trust and confidence that ZwickRoell are committed to the UK market with or without Brexit decisions. As a family-run business ZwickRoell is committed to offering our customers and employees the very best state-of-the-art facilities and we believe that this new facility will offer some excellent opportunities for growth.” 

In the past 12 months, Stoford Developments has announced the arrival of Marmon Food and Beverage Equipment, Siemens, Spire Healthcare, Kimal and Kohler Mira at Worcester Six. Once fully developed, Worcester Six will provide 1.5 million sq ft of accommodation.