Lettings latest: Darebsury signs four new tenants; Gap plugged in Stockport; and more

FOUR hi-tech companies have taken space at Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus (DSIC) in Cheshire.

Proveca, Immersive Forensics, iSoSec and Enhanced Hydrocarbon Technology have all established their operations at the campus which aims to provide a platform for innovation and collaboration between businesses, universities and research organisations.

Proveca specialises in pharmaceuticals, while Immersive Forensics manages forensic image data. ISoSec develops authentication products for the identity and access management sector and Enhanced Hydrocarbon Technology has developed technology to improve the efficiency of internal combustion engines.

John Leake, business development manager at DSIC, said: “The arrival of four such groundbreaking businesses, from such diverse sectors as pharmaceuticals and forensic science, reflects our continued ability to deliver on our pledge.”

DSIC is a public-private joint venture between the Science and Technology Facilities Council, property developer Langtree, the North West Regional Development Agency and Halton Borough Council.

Mr Leake added: “The very cornerstone of the campus is to attract innovative, thought-leading enterprises and provide them with a platform to evolve and prosper.”

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CAR Loan 4 U, a loan brokerage business based in Macclesfield, has taken on extra office space in its home town in response to a greater demand for its service.

The firm has signed a new five-year lease to take on 4,500 sq ft of space at Winterton House on Orbit Developments’ Lyme Green Business Park after outgrowing its previous office.

Director James Wilkinson said that when the recession first hit the company’s initial aim was to minimise running costs in a bid to try to preserve staff numbers, but successes in business development had led to increased turnover of £2.5m and a 25% boost in staff numbers to 40.

Noosh Birch of Orbit Developments said: “Car Loan 4u has been a tenant with us since the start of their company and it has been refreshing to see them thrive in troubled times. The move to Winterton House is just a natural next step to their development.”

Car Loan 4U will move into its new office next month.

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US fashion retailer Gap is to open a new 10,000 sq ft outlet store the Peel Centre in Stockport on Friday, May 19.

Robyn Walters, retail parks manager for Peel, said: “We are delighted Gap Outlet has opened a store at the Peel Centre Stockport. The Peel Centre offers customers a wide range of shopping choices and we are sure that Gap Outlet will trade extremely well here.”

Existing tenants at the Peel Centre include other fashionwear retailers H&M, Next, New Look and Matalan.