Arrow scheme shoots straight to the heart of Enterprise Zone growth

Work has officially started on one of the largest speculative industrial development schemes in the West Midlands.

The 28-acre Tunstall Arrow site, so-called because the layout of the site resembles an arrowhead, is thought to be the largest scheme of its kind in the Stoke-on-Trent area for well over a decade.

The scheme, on James Brindley Way, close to Junction 16 of the M6, will total 125,000 sq ft, spread across five units.

Property investor and developer Network Space has let the contract for the works to Caddick Construction and the scheme is set for completion next summer.

The development has already attracted its first tenant, with railings supplier, Q-railings taking out a let on a 40,000 sq ft unit – the largest on the site – for its new headquarters.

The development is being self-financed by Network Space with support from the Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone and the remaining four units will range from 10,000 to 35,000 sq ft, each with their own yards and secured access.

Tunstall Arrow is the first of the six sites comprising the Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone to be brought forward since it was announced in November 2015. Both Stoke-on-Trent City Council and the Enterprise Zone team have been instrumental in supporting the scheme, ensuring it has been brought forward as quickly as possible.

Stephen Barnes, managing director of development at Network Space, said: “It’s very satisfying to see works progressing on site on such a significant scheme.  Whilst we have already secured a key occupier in Q-railings, Mounsey Surveyors are already in discussion with other interested parties and we expect to be able to make further announcements imminently.

“The scheme forms one of a number of industrial developments that we are progressing this year which will all be developed, retained and managed by Network Space and held within our industrial portfolio.”

Cllr Abi Brown, Stoke-on-Trent council’s deputy leader and chair of the Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone Board, said the start of work marked a significant milestone for the EZ.

“We’re very pleased to have Network Space on board with such a significant scheme. The scale of their development demonstrates the confidence there is in the local economy. It’s also a further sign of the progress being made and how the package of assistance and incentives we have put together for employers are paying off,” she said.

“The potential across the six sites is huge and we have active interest in each and every one of them from businesses and organisations which we are working on and looking to progress.”

She said the plan was for the six EZ sites to generate around 9,000 new jobs for the area, with the first of these being created at Tunstall Arrow.