The pioneering £2.5 million Holbrook Commerce Park in Sheffield has been officially opened.
Sir Bob Kerslake, the chief executive of Sheffield City Council, performed the opening ceremony at the four-acre site which has created almost 50,000 sq ft of new premises within Holbrook Industrial Estate. The development is expected to create 26 new jobs and safeguard 104 others.
Sir Bob commented: "This project is an important component of the economic regeneration of the city of Sheffield and of Beighton - it will secure a large number of local jobs and create many more, in an area which is still recovering from the economic decline of the past twenty years.
“Holbrook Commerce Park is a modern, well-situated industrial development that will have provision for both established companies and start-ups - it has already proved popular with a number of advanced manufacturing companies, a sector we see as critical for the continued economic success of Sheffield.
“This is a great example of the sort of economic development that can be achieved through joint working between public sector agencies including the City Council, Objective 1 South Yorkshire and Yorkshire Forward; community sector organisations - in this case the Beighton Villages Development Trust – and private companies,” he added.
This flagship project has been undertaken by Leeds-based Shepherd Developments for the Beighton Integrated Development Plan led by Beighton Villages Development Trust (BVDT).
Supported by Sheffield First for Investment, the development has created new premises within the Holbrook industrial estate for local and relocating businesses to expand.
Objective 1 South Yorkshire and Yorkshire Forward have provided capital funding for the development to assist the economic regeneration of Beighton, a former coalfield community, in South East Sheffield.
Continuing the local community feel, the development was built by the Sheffield-based team of construction firm Rok as one of its first projects since the company moved into Yorkshire last year.
Leading fabrication and laser cutting business Advanced Engineering Techniques (AET) has bought 15,000 sq ft of manufacturing space on the site as an expansion of their existing premises, while Bright Technologies Ltd, who undertake design, development and manufacture of shielding for medical scanners is relocating from Killamarsh in North East Derbyshire. The firm is taking 5,000 sq ft of space.
Meanwhile the project has created a high-quality 15,055 sq ft speculative industrial unit, including 742 sq ft of offices, which is available for sale or to let. This unit is self-contained, with its own secure car parking and yard.
In addition, the site is the home to a terrace of eight managed workspace units owned by BVDT, which will generate ‘legacy’ income to support future community projects within Beighton and Sothall and to enable local entrepreneurs to establish their own businesses. These units range from 1,000 sq ft to 2,500 sq ft.
Richard Squire of Shepherd Developments commented; “We are delighted to be involved in such a worthwhile and successful project. The development builds on the established success of the Holbrook Industrial Estate, which is now home to a number of thriving businesses. It is ideally located, as the site provides easy access to transport links, including the Supertram network and M1 motorway, which is a real draw for businesses looking to expand or relocate.
Peter Scott, the chairman of BVDT said: “Through the application of European Union and Regional Development Agency funds, the creation of the Holbrook Business Park is the culmination of two years hard work by the community in partnership with private sector commercial developers who understand community social enterprise, a nurturing local authority and other agencies and individuals supportive to Beighton and Sothall regeneration”.
“This project, whilst economically focused, will, in the long term, have a marked impact on social regeneration, as through the BVDT managed workspace we will be able to address social inclusion issues within the local community,” he added.
The agents for the development are the Sheffield office of property consultants Knight Frank. BVDT were advised by regeneration consultants; AGD Regen. The project was built by Rok.
Pictured are the Beighton Gala Princess, Her attendants and Pupils from Local Primary Schools filling the Time Capsule, and invited guests for the Holbrook Commerce Park Opening