Companies shown around £13m business park
A MAJOR new business park in Coventry has been shown off to potential tenants for the first time.
Whitley Business Park, which spans 93 acres, adjacent to Jaguar’s research and development centre, could potentially help create 2,000 new jobs.
The £13m development, situated just off the A45, will eventually comprise 1.1m sq ft of top quality office and industrial space, together with a new link to the A45/A46 junction.
Dozens of businesses attended a Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting at the business park to learn more about the facilities available.
Mark Watkins, of developer St Modwen, outlined its plans for the site.
He said work on the first phase – Lakeside – which features six buildings of between 2,979sq ft and 25,960 sq ft, was now complete and the first companies have moved into the development.
David Penn, of agents Shortland Horne who are marketing the development along with Savills, attended to present an overview of the property market in the city.
Amrik Bhabra, chair of the Coventry branch of the Chamber, said that Whitley Business Park was key to the future commercial growth of the city.
He said: “I think everyone was excited by what they heard and saw. Not many people had visited the site before and it was interesting to learn just how big the finished development will be and what a crucial role it can play in the city’s future.
“David Penn’s assessment of the commercial property market did hint that, like the economy in general, we are through the worst and he spoke optimistically about the future.
“The city needs developments like Whitley Business Park to help attract new companies as well as accommodating expanding companies who want to stay in the city.”
Mr Watkins said: “Whitley Business Park has quickly established a reputation as a high calibre commercial property scheme, and we are proud to welcome the Chamber of Commerce along to outline the part the business park will play in Coventry’s economic development and the city’s future growth as a thriving destination for business.”
Picture caption. From left: David Penn, of Shortland Horne, Mark Watkins, of St Modwen, and Amrik Bhabra, chairman of Coventry Chamber of Commerce
