Business park expansion to meet demand for more warehouse and manufacturing space
Developer Wykeland Group has launched the latest phase of a business park on the south bank of the Humber.
Work has begun on a £3.6m development of two new buildings at Europarc in Grimsby for manufacturing or warehouse use and aimed primarily at food industry businesses.
The buildings are being delivered for Europarc owner and developer Wykeland by construction contractor JemBuild, based in Humberston, near Grimsby. The project is scheduled for completion in early summer 2020.
They will be constructed to a shell specification and can be finished to the occupier’s bespoke requirements. The units will be available to let, or potentially for sale.
The site is at a prominent position on Genesis Way, the main route through the heart of the Europarc site.
Europarc has more than 750,000 sq ft of high-quality business space, within landscaped grounds. Notable occupiers include supermarket giant Morrisons, Sea Fish Industry Authority, Hain Daniels Group of leading food brands and 2 Sisters Food Group.
Existing buildings at Europarc
More than 2,500 people are employed at the business park, which has been developed in phases over the past 20 years and offers accommodation for manufacturing, distribution and office-based businesses at all stages of their development.
The high-specification new units will provide floor space of 15,000 sq ft and 30,000 sq ft, with ground-level loading doors, secure service yards and dedicated car parking provision.
Wykeland Group development director, Jonathan Stubbs, said: “Europarc has been a major success and is firmly established as the location of choice on the south bank of the Humber for regional, national and international businesses.
“New, hi-spec units such as these are rare and we know there is a significant pent-up demand for accommodation of this quality in a location with all the advantages that Europarc offers.
“These buildings are specifically targeted at businesses in the food sector and will enhance further Grimsby’s reputation as a major centre for food manufacturing, processing, storage and distribution.
“We’re delighted to begin the latest phase of growth at Europarc and pleased to have appointed a local contractor to deliver the works.”
The new buildings are being marketed by joint agents PPH Commercial and Knight Frank.
Duncan Willey, divisional director for PPH Commercial, said: “This is a very exciting new development and the first speculative scheme in the Grimsby area for several years.
“Industrial occupation levels in North East Lincolnshire currently exceed 95%, which is the highest level for more than a decade, so demand is strong. However, there is a shortage of new and good quality industrial accommodation locally, which is hampering both indigenous business growth and inward investment.
“Initial marketing activities have already resulted in a very encouraging level of enquiries about the new units.”
The development has been backed by the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP). Ursula Lidbetter, chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, said: “Europarc has been designated as a Food Enterprise Zone and is regarded as a key site within the East Midlands Manufacturing Zone supported by Midlands Engine.
“We are very pleased to be investing £1.8m from the Single Local Growth Fund to this scheme. It will be a focus for inward investment and business growth in the agrifood sector through the provision of high-quality industrial space.”
The Minister for Local Growth, Jake Berry MP, said: “We are committed to boosting economic growth across the whole of the UK and levelling up the regions throughout the Midlands Engine by ensuring every community has the support and investment it needs to flourish as we prepare to leave the EU on 31 October.
“Thanks to £1.8m of Government support from the Local Growth Fund, people in Lincolnshire will benefit from a state-of-the-art Food Enterprise Zone (FEZ) which will house advanced industrial units designed to create jobs, encourage growth in the domestic food and farming sectors and attract increased investment for years to come.”
In addition to the buildings now under construction, Europarc has other sites available which can accommodate units of up to 260,000 sq ft, with outline planning permission in place.
The expansion at Europarc is the latest investment by Wykeland. The firm’s flagship schemes include the fast-growing Bridgehead business park close to the Humber Bridge, the expanding Melton West site in East Yorkshire, and the @TheDock tech campus in Hull’s Fruit Market waterfront quarter.
Wykeland is part of the Wykeland Beal joint venture with East Yorkshire-based Beal Homes, which is driving forward the regeneration of the Fruit Market, in partnership with Hull City Council, and is working with Hambleton District Council to transform the former Northallerton Prison site in North Yorkshire into the £17m Treadmills retail, leisure and business destination.
