Creating prosperity for many years to come

Jul 2 2008 By Andrew Mernin

Creating prosperity for many years to come

An area with a reputation for industrial and distribution property has started to carve out quite a significant office market too, says Tony Wordsworth.

CRAMLINGTON continues to attract investment and interest from occupiers. The area is well known for its ability to bring new industries and developers to its distribution and manufacturing estates. This year, however, the office market has much to cheer about in south east Northumberland.

Northumberland Business Park, a 45-acre, £50m development is centre stage. The flagship scheme will boost high quality office space in the county with more than 400,000sqft of new accommodation by 2015.

Gladman Developments has appointed my firm to market the sale of the property, working with Sanderson Weatherall.

We believe the change that Northumberland Business Park represents for south east Northumberland is significant. The impact of the completed development will affect local business and employment substantially. The park is expected to help bring 3,000 jobs into the county over the next nine years, representing a £55m investment in the economy.

Andrew Creighton of Gladman Developments said: “Northumberland Business Park presents significant opportunities for office workers in Northumberland to work locally, ensuring both jobs and revenue remain in the region.”

Office space is already being snapped up, with local firm AWS Accountancy purchasing a 2,250sqft unit in Berrymoor Court, and United Business Centres operating a serviced office from a 10,070sqft unit from August at the adjoining Silverton Court.

Both are part of the first phase of new office buildings at Northumberland Business Park, a number of which are attracting strong interest.

The development can also boast strong green credentials, setting aside 15 acres for soft landscaping, including trees, wildflower meadows and green spaces around each building.

The green theme continues at nearby Prestwick Park, close to Newcastle Airport, a good office location for smaller companies looking for greener pastures.

Prestwick has built a reputation for high quality, individual offices in landscaped, natural surroundings within minutes of Newcastle Airport.

Tenants Viridion Limited, distributors of Primalawn artificial grass, agreed a tenancy lease that included an acre of grassland, which they use for training purposes.

Prestwick Park’s seven detached office buildings, with on-site car parking, marry easy access to city and transport hubs with quiet surroundings and self-contained office units built from stone and brick with a slate roof.

Tenants in south east Northumberland’s newest office parks are not letting the grass grow under their feet, quickly signing up to take high quality office space close to the city and at attractive rates. It augurs well for future business expansion in south east Northumberland.

Tony Wordsworth is a director with GVA Lamb and Edge in Newcastle.

PAGE TWO: Location is key to success in south east of country.