Completion of business park scheme offers storage and distribution space

Preston-based steel-frame specialists Wareing Buildings has completed the design and build of a major commercial development for Henco International.

The site, at Cropper Close on Whitehills Business Park in Blackpool, consists of two units totalling 20,000 sq ft, which offer high quality storage and distribution space for potential occupiers.

The first unit, comprising 8,000 sq ft with an additional 2,000 sq ft of mezzanine, ‘grade A’ air-conditioned office space, has been let to gift and toy designers/distributor Floss & Rock which will take occupancy of the unit later this year.

The remaining unit spans 12,000 sq ft, also offering the option of additional mezzanine offices, and has the potential to be split into two separate units covering approximately 5,000 sq ft and 7,000 sq ft.

Both units, at 7.5m to eaves, benefit from excellent loading facilities with a large yard, including 25m turning circle and loading doors.

Wareing Buildings’ role in the development included site preparation and clearance, implementing concrete foundations and strip footings, the fabrication and erection of the steel frame structure and construction of external cavity brick walls.

It also added a concrete floor slab with power float finish, roof and wall cladding and composite sheeting and aluminium-framed glazing.

It is the latest in a series of projects that Wareing Buildings has completed on behalf of commercial development and investment company Henco, which has been operating on the Fylde coast for more than 35 years.

Henco owns several developments on Whitehills Business Park, a number of which were built by Wareing Buildings.

The contractor was appointed to deliver six units at Apollo Court in 2013, totalling 12,000 sq ft, a four-unit development on Brooklands Way spanning 5,500 sq ft which completed in 2017, as well as nine units at Juniper Court in 2018 totalling 13,000 sq ft.

Whitehills Business Park provides easy access to the M55 which joins the M6 motorway, allowing ease of commuting throughout the North West and beyond. Commuting options are also available to the surrounding towns of Blackpool, St Annes and Lytham.

Simon Tickle, estimator at Wareing Buildings, said: “Henco holds an extensive amount of space at Whitehills Business Park because it identified that the area offered fantastic commercial opportunities for businesses wanting to make Blackpool and the Fylde their home.

“Since the first spade was put into the ground on the Apollo Court development in 2013, we have worked in partnership to develop spaces that will serve to drive forward the commercial sector in the region and make the area a thriving business hub.

“This latest project once again offers something new to occupants, and we look forward to seeing which other exciting businesses take advantage of these high quality facilities.”

Chris Hibbert, managing director at Henco International, said: “Whitehills Business Park offers a great opportunity for businesses operating on the Fylde Coast with new, high quality buildings and a central location with easy access, just a stone’s throw from the region’s motorway network.”

“The Park continues to grow in occupier numbers, with approximately 750,000 sq ft of commercial premises now built, accommodating a diverse range of businesses.

“With over 2,000 new homes scheduled for development within a two-mile radius and funding for the long-awaited M55 link road directly connecting Whitehills at Junction four to Lytham St Annes now secured, Whitehills provides a fantastic business location for the area.”