Expanding business park offers community equipment provider space to grow

A provider of community equipment loan services has become the first occupier of a new development within the growing Melton West business park in East Yorkshire. 

Medequip has begun operating a depot in the first unit to be completed at the £10m Evolve @ Melton West development – the latest phase of growth at Melton West.

Evolve aims to address a shortage of high-quality, modern commercial spaces for expanding businesses looking to invest within the region.

Medequip has 27 depots across the country and services 48 local authority areas in partnership with each council’s social care services and the NHS.

It is expanding into the East Yorkshire region for the first time after winning a contract to deliver the Community Equipment Loan Service for East Riding of Yorkshire and Hull. 

The service will help enhance the quality of life and independence for tens of thousands of children, young people and adults with care and support needs in the region, including those with temporary, permanent or life-limiting conditions.

Medequip is bringing a team of existing staff to Evolve to deliver the contract and will also be creating a number of new positions at the new depot. 

Developed by Yorkshire property development and investment business Wykeland Group, Evolve comprises 85,000 sq ft of commercial space and is part of the wider Melton West site, west of Hull.

The development features two larger units of 37,000 sq ft and 22,900 sq ft, with Medequip occupying the latter, and a terrace of five smaller units of 5,000 sq ft. 

Following Medequip beginning operations, the other units are approaching completion and will soon be available for occupation.

Wykeland Development director, Jonathan Stubbs, said: “We knew there was a gap in the region for high-quality, modern commercial space for growing businesses and that has been validated by the levels of interest we have received in Evolve. 

“We’re pleased to welcome Medequip as the first occupier and to have provided a modern, fit-for-purpose space which enables their expansion into East Yorkshire.

“We’ve worked with the business to adapt the construction plan on site and bring forward the completion of Medequip’s unit to ensure they were moved in ahead of their contract start date.”

Medequip general manager, Steve Smith, said: “We selected the Evolve site for our new East Riding and Hull Community Equipment Loan Service because it provides a modern, high-quality facility with excellent transport links – essential for the efficient delivery of community equipment.

“This state-of-the-art facility will enable us to better support residents in accessing the equipment they need to maintain their independence.”

Development of Evolve was supported by grant funding from East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

Austin Lillico, infrastructure and external funding project manager at the council, said: “The Invest East Yorkshire Team at East Riding of Yorkshire Council offers a range of support to help businesses develop and grow, from start-ups to large scale investors.   

“The economic benefits derived from providing grant funding to enable developments such as Evolve to come to fruition are of real value, especially as we now see the first occupiers moving into their new premises.”