A disused site on Stony Lane in Christchurch is set to have fresh life breathed into it with a new commercial property development.
Penton Motor Group is building four units on the former Boyland Joinery site to create a trading hub for businesses. The hub is to be known as Penton Business Park.
Over the past eight years Penton Motor Group has built four new showrooms for its franchised motor business and renovated a further three separate investment buildings.
This is a new direction for the long established Wilson family business, which has locations in Christchurch, Poole, Andover and Salisbury, to develop a ground-up commercial investment property other than for its own use.
Fellow Christchurch firm John Reid & Sons Ltd (REIDsteel) has designed and manufactured the steel frames, decking, cladding, glazing and doors for the project.
An estimated, circa 30 new jobs could be created in a boost for the local economy providing a total of 1,885 sq metres / 20,300 sq ft for trade counter, light industrial, storage and possible gym uses with ample parking for 50 vehicles.
Leading national chains have already taken space, with up to 12,000 sq ft remaining available.
Simon Boyd, managing director at 130-strong REIDsteel, said: “We work across the UK, Europe and the world so it is great to work on a project a little closer to home.
“We have been able to provide our design, fabrication and manufacturing expertise for the entire building envelope, including its cladding, glazing and decking requirements.
“We are delighted to support the Penton Motor Group to create this high-quality development which will bring significant jobs and economic benefits for the area.”
The scheme involves demolition of the former Boyland Joinery building on the site to create up to a five unit split measuring from 4,000 sq ft, to 12,000 sq ft.
REIDsteel is due to erect the steel work on site when the coronavirus pandemic eases and regulations allow. It will use 65 tonnes of British Steel as well as British made Tata composite panels for cladding.
The development will be wholly owned and managed by the Penton Motor Group.
Penton Group managing director Robert Wilson said: “This new development demonstrates our confidence in the commercial property sector and the Christchurch area.
“With the possible creation of 30 jobs, it represents a significant boost for the local economy and regeneration of a disused brownfield site.
“It is an exciting circa £2.5m investment for our business, on which we can use our expertise and experience in showrooms and service centre development to expand further into the commercial property market.
Jan Dibden our financial director and his team have successfully headed up this project and we have been delighted to work with REIDsteel a local firm.
“We all look forward to seeing this development progress as soon as conditions allow.”
Penton Motor Group is a 100% family business of 50 years standing in the new and used car market with over 120 staff and turnover of £60 million.
It has Vauxhall, Citroen, Peugeot and DS new and used dealerships in towns across Dorset, Hampshire and Wiltshire, including Christchurch, Poole, Andover and Salisbury.
REIDsteel remains family owned and celebrated its centenary in 2019. It has exported to more than 140 countries to date.
The firm specialises in providing entire steel frame and building envelope solutions all under one roof.
Thanks to its in-house capabilities and expertise, it is regularly contracted to design, manufacture and supply complete steel structures including the cladding, glazing, louvres and staircases for projects anywhere in the UK, Europe and across the world.
They include bridges, hospitals, sports stadia, disaster resilient buildings, defensive structures, churches, schools, industrial & commercial buildings, warehouses and advanced aircraft hangars.
