New Bradford business park secures first letting

Newhall Business Park, which was constructed and developed by Bradford-based developer Frank Marshall Estates, has secured its first letting.

The park, which is the first speculative industrial development to be built in Bradford since the recession, will create 120 sustainable new jobs.

Wilkies Floors, part of the MCD Group, is taking 3,250 sq ft of industrial and trade counter space in Unit 5 on the estate.

Frank Marshall Estates bought the five-acre business park, part of Prologis Park, from Prologis for an undisclosed sum earlier last year.

Outline planning for eight business units, totalling 38,000 sq ft, has been granted by Bradford City Council.

The development has been built by construction company Percy Pickard Contractors, which is also based in Bradford.

Paul Waterhouse, partner with Wilkies, which specialises in carpet fitting and floor covering, commented: “This is our first venture into a satellite branch away from our head office in Morley. We looked at various sites in the Bradford area before we came across Newhall and that changed everything for us.

“The location and quality of the units at Newhall made our decision easy and has given us a feelgood factor for increased sales as we move forward into 2017. Everyone involved at the site has been great, which has been a major factor during this process.

“We hope that Frank Marshall Estates are well on the way to filling the site with new businesses and that we all work together to make it a success.”

Edward Marshall, who runs Frank Marshall Estates along with Jimmy Marshall, commented: “We are tremendously excited at securing our first deal at Newhall Business Park, which rewards our faith in developing it speculatively.

“Newhall occupies an exceptional position at the top of the M606 to the south of Bradford city centre and is just minutes away from the hub of Yorkshire’s excellent motorway network. The location is superb, arguably the best for industrial property in Bradford.”

“There is now serious interest in the other units at the business park, with discussions with two new occupiers at an advanced stage. Our eight self-contained, high-quality units are ideal for businesses requiring small premises.

“The units, which range from 1,700 sq ft to 11,350 sq ft, can be adapted to occupiers’ needs and are equipped with the very best facilities and the latest technology. We are setting a new standard for industrial space in the area.”

Frank Marshall Estates is moving its headquarters to the site from the nearby Link 606 Office Park next spring, occupying the 17th century Grade-II listed building which fronts Rooley Lane and was formerly the club house of West Bowling Golf Club.

The building is currently being refurbished and will be split into two wings, The East Wing and the West Wing, allowing another occupier more than 2,400 sq ft of quality office space.

The rents for the industrial units will be in the region of £7.50 per sq ft, while the quoting office rent is £15 per sq ft.

The Bradford office of Eddisons is also marketing Newhall Business Park, while Simon Mydlowski of Gordons is providing legal advice.