High profile visitor digs in to launch new commercial development

Chancellor Rishi Sunak, who is MP for Richmond, has helped break ground on a gateway development in Northallerton.

Sunak joined developer and local entrepreneur Simon Bailes and Matthew Wharton, from contractor Wharton Construction, to mark the start of works on the site, which will be known as Northallerton Gateway and is expected to create up to 100 full and part-time jobs.

The 1.2-hectare site, located next to Northallerton’s County Business Park, will feature six modern and turnkey units for a range of uses.

This includes space for two drive-thru restaurants or coffee shops, a pair of new trade counter retail warehouse units and the conversion of a vacant warehouse creating two further units for mixed use employment – including trade counter retail, storage, and industrial use.

The company behind the development – which also operates the town’s Simon Bailes Peugeot dealership, is confident it will attract a fresh mix of commercial enterprises.

Next to Darlington Road, one of the main approaches into town, the retail units range from 4,380 sq ft to 7,600 sq ft in size.

Sunak said: “Investments like this are great news, because what they tell us is that business leaders like Simon Bailes have confidence in our recovery and backing it with significant investment in our local area.

“After the last 18 months, getting people into well-paid work and developments like this are going to create lots of jobs and, at the end of this development, we’re going to have a great drive-thru here in Northallerton.”

Bailes said: “I was really proud Mr Sunak could join us to mark this important milestone in the continued evolution of the town.

“Northallerton Gateway will offer significant growth opportunities for a wider range of businesses to become established, which in turn improves and strengthens the town’s commercial resilience.

“I’m confident this site will create opportunities for significant return, both in terms of value and enterprise. It will enhance the gross GVA of Northallerton and further add to the mix of the area’s independent stores and national chains.”

Matthew Wharton, managing director of Darlington-based Wharton Construction, added: “Northallerton is a really vibrant and growing town, and we are really pleased to be supporting its ongoing development with this new project.

“Our team is looking forward to constructing Northallerton Gateway and contributing to the economic prosperity of the area.”