A £2 million scheme funded by Wychavon District Council to boost the number of small industrial units available in Evesham has been fully let less than a year after being built.
Chase Commercial Ltd constructed the 10 units at Vale Park to provide new commercial accommodation specifically to meet the demand from small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) for high quality workspace.
The project was funded by a £1.4 million investment by Wychavon District Council to help boost the district’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic. The Government also contributed £600,000 from the Getting Building Fund, which supports job creation, skills and infrastructure projects.
A mix of businesses have set-up home at the scheme including British Made Shutters, Alumier Labs, Farr & Harris, Geeknson, Bark Interiors, Wheelmania Tuning and Doctyres. M P Filtri is set to move into one of the final units currently under construction with the last unit under offer to a separate occupier.
Julian Meredith, Managing Director of Chase Commercial Ltd, said: “The conclusion of this first phase at Vale Park shows the on-going strength of demand by occupiers to locate to Vale Park, Evesham.”
Cllr Mark Ward, Executive Board Member for Economic Growth and Tourism on Wychavon District Council, added: “Supplying good quality commercial space is essential if we are to create new jobs and a stronger economy. Wychavon was able to step in and fund this development when the commercial investment markets were reeling from the economic impacts of Covid-19. This helped ensure this desperately needed commercial space was delivered on time and in budget and made available to respond to the requirements of growing businesses”.
Phoebe Dawson, Director of Business Engagement at Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “The Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership was pleased to be able to support the development of this new commercial space at Vale Park via the Government’s Getting Building Fund. Working with partners across the county the LEP are recognising the commercial property desires from businesses and these new units are providing much needed commercial space which is helping businesses to expand and grow their operations and it is fantastic to see these new units already occupied.”
Charles Lochrane, from Grafton Associates Ltd that have bought the units, said: “We were delighted to partner Chase and Wychavon in this project. The fact that the scheme let so quickly bears testament to all our faith in the SME sector and in the potential of Evesham as an important commercial location. We are keen to repeat the success of this model in similar towns across the Midlands”.
The letting agents acting on the scheme were Alder King, Sheldon Bosley Knight and Savills.
Pictured: (L-R): Julian Meredith, Chase Commercial Ltd; Charles Lochrane, Grafton Associates Ltd; Phoebe Dawson, Worcestershire LEP; Cllr Mark Ward, Wychavon District Council; Tandel Keshavbhai, Doctyres; Shawn Riley, Wychavon District Council.