A new commercial development in Rugby is set to create capacity for up to 50 jobs after plans to redevelop the former Bloxham Centre site were granted planning approval.<\/p>\n
Warwickshire Property & Development Group (WPDG) will deliver three new commercial units on Somers Road, providing a combined 21,350 sq ft of business space aimed at supporting the expansion of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).<\/p>\n
Rugby Borough Council has approved the replacement of the existing buildings with units ranging from 5,350 sq ft to 10,000 sq ft, offering businesses the opportunity to secure premises without relocating outside the area.<\/p>\n
The scheme will incorporate a range of sustainability measures, with the buildings targeting an EPC A rating and BREEAM \u2018Very Good\u2019 standard. Plans also include 29 parking spaces, six electric vehicle charging points and improved landscaping around the site.<\/p>\n
Construction is expected to begin in early 2027, with completion scheduled for the end of the year. The units will be marketed for freehold sale by commercial property agent Avison Young.<\/p>\n
The project represents WPDG\u2019s first commercial development in Rugby and its third scheme in Warwickshire, extending its programme of delivering smaller-scale commercial premises for growing businesses.<\/p>\n
Its previous development, Sucham Park at Holywell Business Park in Southam, brought an underused site back into commercial use through the delivery of nine industrial units totalling 42,200 sq ft. All units were occupied within 12 months of completion, with the development subsequently sold earlier this year. Businesses based there support around 100 jobs.<\/p>\n
WPDG is also progressing Greville Business Park between Warwick and Leamington Spa, where construction is underway on 11 units for SMEs.<\/p>\n
Owned by Warwickshire County Council, WPDG operates as a public-private commercial developer, reinvesting profits into further economic and community development. Its focus is on delivering speculative commercial units below 15,000 sq ft, addressing a gap in the market for smaller businesses seeking appropriately sized premises.<\/p>\n
The organisation has now completed, commenced or secured planning permission for more than 90,000 sq ft of commercial space across Warwickshire.<\/p>\n
Chloe Britton, senior development manager at WPDG said: \u201cWe\u2019re delighted to have secured planning permission for our first commercial development in Rugby. The Bloxham Centre site is in an established industrial location, and the new units will give expanding businesses the modern, sustainable space they need to grow while supporting jobs for local people, boosting Warwickshire\u2019s economy.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe commercial sites that WPDG has developed demonstrate the strong demand among smaller businesses for freehold premises that are appropriately sized for their needs and conveniently located close to both their customers and workforce. Our focus now is on moving the scheme forward for redevelopment and securing interest from ambitious SMEs.\u201d<\/p>\n
Councillor James Crocker, deputy leader of Warwickshire County Council and portfolio holder for finance and property, said: \u201cSecuring planning for this development is an important milestone and marks another step forward in bringing this high-quality commercial space to Rugby.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe new units will provide growing businesses in the local area with the modern, sustainable premises they need to expand, and the scheme builds on the successful developments already delivered by WPDG and demonstrates our ongoing commitment to supporting business growth across the county.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The 21,350 sq ft scheme will deliver three commercial units aimed at growing SMEs, with construction due to begin in early 2027<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":266702,"featured_media":2119031,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"coauthors":[127717],"class_list":["post-2119021","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-property","tag-coventry-and-warwickshire","tag-featured-story"],"yoast_head":"\n