Last available unit snapped up at business park

Balme Business Park, the second phase of the Flanshaw Way development in Wakefield, is now fully let.

The business park, which has been masterminded by multi-let developer, Frank Marshall Estates of Bradford, comprises 26,000 sq ft of new units ranging in size from 1,500 sq ft to 6,000 sq ft.

All nine units have already been let. The final available unit has just been let to Howdens Joinery, who have taken 6,750 sq ft on a 15-year lease.

The park has provided £3.5m inward investment for Wakefield and created over 100 new jobs.

Balme Business Park has been named after Chris Balme, the long-serving construction director at Frank Marshall Estates. The park was completed last November.

Edward Marshall, director of Frank Marshall Estates, said: “It seemed only right to honour Chris in this way. He is one of the most knowledgeable and experienced construction professionals in Yorkshire.

“The fact that the park was fully let within five months of completion is a real testament to both its quality and its location.

“We are meeting the needs of the smaller businesses who need a quality working environment in a property under 10,000 sq ft.

“We are extremely proud of the magnificent success of Balme Business Park, which is down to the fantastic team we have.

“I would like to highlight the vitally important roles played by the following: Simon Mydlowski of Clarion, the best property solicitor in Yorkshire; Rachel Slater and Matt Hall of KPP, the top architects; Peter Dixon of Dudleys Consulting Engineers; the team at Percy Pickard Contractors; Jonathan O’Connor of Ryden; Max Vause at Carter Towler; Rob Oliver at Avison Young; and Michael Alton of Eddisons who manages the estate, together with our sub-contractors including Jacamast Structures and Couldwell Concrete floors.”

Frank Marshall Estates bought the four-acre site on the outskirts of Wakefield from Flanshaw Property Ltd for £1.3m in 2020.

The first phase of the Flanshaw Way development featured 17 units, including seven hybrid Nano units and 10 light industrial and warehouse units ranging up to 9,500 sq ft, and was fully let within a year.

Jimmy Marshall, co-director of Frank Marshall Estates, said: “When we bought this land, we promised to create the best business park that Wakefield has ever had.

“We have now delivered on that promise, despite the lingering challenges posed by the pandemic and the uncertainty surrounding Yorkshire’s commercial property market.

“It is clear that there is a massive pent-up demand in West Yorkshire for high-quality buildings of 10,000 sq ft and under in great locations.”

Max Vause, of property consultants Carter Towler, who are advising Frank Marshall Estates, added: “As always it has been a pleasure working with Frank Marshall Estates to bring this outstanding development to market. The fact it is now fully let brilliantly demonstrates the quality of the park.

“It’s been tremendous to work with a developer as passionate and professional as Edward Marshall and I’m very proud of what we have achieved together. It has also been great to work with Edward’s solicitor Simon Mydlowski of Clarion.”