High-end business park adds pace to town’s development

Apr 16 2008 by Graeme King, The Journal

CONSTRUCTION work has begun on a new business park for Alnwick, adding to a recent spurt in the pace of development of the Northumberland town.

The Hotspur Court scheme, being developed by Northumberland Estates, will see the first new high-end business units built in the town for more than a decade.

The development will stand within the existing Lionheart Enterprise Park, on the south east side of Alnwick, and will provide 17 industrial / warehouse units, adding up to 42,000sqft.

The units will range in size from 1,500sqft (139.4sqm) up to 6,000sqft (557.4 sqm), and will offer open plan accommodation together with office space. They provide flexibility with early tenants able to link the units to provide larger space.

The new development will add to the recent completion of the nearby Cawledge Business Park office development.

Northumberland Estates has received grant funding from One NorthEast and the Northumberland Strategic Partnership in recognition of the development’s potential contribution to the local economy. Northumberland Estates’ policy is that the lion’s share of the construction work on its projects should be carried out by local firms, and the Hotspurt Court project is being led by Amble-based Northern Structures.

Simon Brierley, of joint letting agents George F White, said: “The lack of new developments of this type, and of units of this size in the Alnwick area has led to a gap in the market for high quality facilities such as this.

“These new units, which will be competitively priced, should provide an ideal opportunity for growing local businesses to expand, without having to leave the area, which has to be good for Alnwick.”

Simon Hill, of joint letting agents King Sturge, said: “Recent developments have resulted in Alnwick being widely recognised as a highly desirable place to both live and work.

“The out-of-town location of this particular development allows for ease of parking and loading, while remaining within easy access of both the town centre and the A1. In our view, this makes it an ideal location for a wide range of businesses, hopefully bringing new enterprise to the town, in addition to providing better facilities for existing businesses.”

The new units will be available for lease upon completion, due this autumn.