Work commences on new £9m trade park at former Leeds college site

Construction work has commenced on a 80,000 sq ft trade park development on the site of the former Thomas Danby College in Leeds.

Bridge Estates has begun working on the £9m scheme, which will transform the five acre site on Roundhay Road in north Leeds, into a new trade counter destination - College Trade Park.

Stainforth Construction won the contract to build the development, which is expected to complete by November 2017.

The new development has already attracted a range of businesses with pre-lets secured on six units to Edmundson Electrical, Selco, Screwfix, Toolstation, Topps Tiles and Brewers Decorator Centres.

Just one self-contained unit, comprising 2,600 sq ft, is available and is being marketed by property agents JLL.

Paul Crabtree from Bridge Estates commented: “College Trade Park is the only speculative trade counter development currently under construction in Leeds.

“Our new gateway development benefits greatly from its strategic location on one of Leeds’ main arterial routes with the area well-established for trade counter uses.

“We are keen to maximise the economic benefits of the scheme for the local economy and were delighted to be able to appoint a West Yorkshire Construction firm to move the site forward.”

Rich Harris from JLL, letting agents on College Trade Park, added: “Following these successful pre-lets, we have seen strong interest from trade counter operators in the last remaining unit. We anticipate we will be able to announce this final letting very shortly.”

College Trade Park is located on Roundhay Road at the connection of the A58 to the A61 at Sheepscar Interchange.

Bridge Estates acquired the site of Leeds Thomas Danby in 2015, with the former college buildings demolished last summer by GBM Demolition to make way for redevelopment.