New life for business park

Jun 18 2008 by Iain Laing, The Journal

A BUSINESS development with the potential to create dozens of jobs and breathe fresh life into a County Durham industrial estate is about to be unveiled.

B and K Developments is building 20 new business units, branded as City West Business Park, at Meadowfield Industrial Estate near Durham.

The project, made possible after the company struck a deal to buy land from regional development agency One NorthEast, is the latest in a series of developments which are breathing new life into the estate.

Billy Morgan, managing director of Washington-based B and K Developments, said: “We are really excited about the potential of this development, which is really starting to take shape now.

“The units will be marketed for new and expanding SMEs and will provide a much-needed business support boost in the area. We’ve put a lot of work into ensuring these units are of the highest standard, but of course this wouldn’t have been possible had One NorthEast not allowed us to purchase some of their land, so we are very grateful to them.”

Each two-storey unit is 150sqm in size and includes office space, a manager’s office and conference facilities, while included on the site will be a bistro catering for companies occupying the units as well as visitors to Meadowfield. B and K Developments was founded in July 2005 by husband and wife team Billy and Karon Morgan. Before then the company, which employs three people, operated for over 20 years as W Morgan Builders.

During this time it was involved in projects including the construction of Bowburn Nursing Home and Chilton Care Centre. Ed Rowley, One NorthEast acting director of regeneration, said: “B and K is a growing company with its roots firmly in the region, so I am delighted they shared our views on the potential of this site, and we were able to work with them to see their ideas become a reality. We need companies like them to lead on developments such as this, because if we’re to establish the region at the forefront of business and industry, it’s vital we have more quality accommodation to offer expanding regional, national and international firms.” Work started on the units in November last year and they are due to be completed at the end of August. Bradley Hall, of Durham, is the sole letting and selling agents.

We’ve put a lot of work into ensuring these units are of the highest standard