Developer responds to appetite for high quality industrial schemes

Lancashire-based Pendle Projects has completed a speculative industrial scheme, in Pendle.

Pendle Court, just off Junction 13 of the M65, was purchased by the developer following the initial sale of the frontage plot to the Kay Group for a petrol filling station.

Pendle Projects, formed by Mark Taylforth, acquired the remaining six acres of land and initially, in phase one, provided 22,000 sq ft where occupiers now include Screwfix, Eurocell and William Turner.

Following the success of this initial phase, two further facilities were completed.

A new headquarter facility for Sugdens, providing 35,000 sq ft and a further unit, were completed for Pendle Court Day Nursery which opened late last year and provides approximately 20,000 sq ft of space.

The final phase of Pendle Court provided 11 new speculative industrial units, all of which are now sold or let to a mixture of owner occupiers and investors.

Following the successful sales of all the Holt Court units, Pendle Projects has recently obtained planning consent for a speculative scheme of nine units in Barnoldswick.

All the units have been reserved off plan already, with work due to commence shortly to provide nine units, each of 1,125 sq ft.

Managing director, Mark Taylforth, said: “I have worked in the commercial property market in East Lancashire for over 25 years. The strength of the industrial sector throughout the region has meant that there has always been a good demand for good quality industrial buildings.

“This gave us the confidence to buy sites for mainly industrial use and we have sold or let everything we have built. Even with Brexit and coronavirus, the demand is still very good and we are continuing to acquire sites for future schemes.”

Trevor Dawson Chartered Surveyors have been advising Pendle Projects on both schemes and director, Michael Cavannagh, said: “The success of the first phase at Pendle Court illustrated the pent up demand for industrial space in Pendle where there has been a lack of speculative development over recent years.

“This continued as Pendle Court was developed out, and it now provides approximately 90,000 sq ft of accommodation.

“We are now also advising Pendle Projects with regard to the new scheme at Barnoldswick and we are pleased to report that all units have been reserved off plan. Demand has been such that another phase of Moon Court would be welcomed if there was the availability of another site in the vicinity.”

He added: “Pendle Projects should be congratulated on their confidence and vision for the area and the success of both schemes illustrates the demand for new quality commercial accommodation in the locality.”