New trading estate set to welcome first tenant
The first unit on a new trading estate in Walsall is almost ready for its first occupiers.
Lighting manufacturer FW Thorpe is set to move into a 15,000 sq ft unit constructed at Reedswood Park after a pre-sale was completed by joint agents Fisher German and Lambert Smith Hampton.
The 10-acre site just off Reedswood Way, close to junction 10 of the M6, allows occupiers to request a bespoke unit to suit their requirements.
The site is one mile away from Walsall town centre, and is directly adjacent to Reedswood Retail Park, which features a Sainsbury’s, McDonald’s and a family pub.
Joint developers Antringham and Brackley Property Developments can construct units of up to 120,000 sq ft on the site.
David Taylor, executive director of FW Thorpe, will move its subsidiary Portland Lighting just a few miles from its current premises in Regal Drive to Reedswood Park after acquiring the company in 2011.
He said: “Our lease on Portland Lighting’s current premises runs out in November, so we’ve been looking for new premises since the turn of the year.
“We liked the idea of having a purpose-built unit that we could fit out ourselves – we’ve done similar things with other companies we’ve bought in the Netherlands and Spain.
“Reedswood Park was an excellent fit for us. It’s a stone’s throw from Portland’s current premises, so it allows us to expand without moving away from Walsall.”
Outline planning permission for business, general industrial and storage and distribution units to be built on the site was granted in November 2018 by Walsall Council.
Tim Blairs of Antringham highlighted how quickly businesses could move in once their requirements were agreed.
He said: “Even though the buildings are designed individually according to the occupier’s needs, we are able to deliver units within 12 months.
“We’d encourage any business looking for new premises to get in touch – we’re ready when they are.”
Construction on site has also included enabling work to the rest of the park including the main estate road allowing further prompt development of the remaining plots.
Stephen Pedrick-Moyle of Brackley Property Developments added: “The site’s prime location next to an already established retail park makes it an attractive prospect for buyers.
“It’s great that FW Thorpe will be the first company to move in – their unit is very close to being built now.
“We also have planning consent for a 35,000 sq ft industrial warehouse at the entrance. We are encouraged by the number of occupier discussions ongoing for this building as well as buildings on the remaining plots.”
