A new business park has thrown open its gates in Christchurch in a boost for the local economy.
Construction work has been completed at The Penton Business Park in Stony Lane in a £2.5m regeneration of a formerly disused site.
The Penton Motor Group has invested in the commercial property development to create a trading hub for firms, with up to 30 jobs being created.
Fellow Christchurch firm John Reid & Sons Ltd (REIDsteel) was engaged to provide and install the full frame and envelope. It designed and manufactured the steel frames, with installation of the metal decking, cladding, roof sheeting, glazing and doors for the retail park.
Toolstation has become the first occupier to open in one of four units at the park. A national tyre company and a major motorcycle dealership are also due to move in.
Simon Boyd, managing director at 130-strong REIDsteel, said: “As a Christchurch firm it is great to be involved in this superb development on our own doorstep.
“It’s been a privilege to take the scheme from the design of its structural steel, cladding, glazing and doors through to fabrication and installation.
“Our thanks to the Penton Motor Group for letting us play our part in supporting the local economy and community with this project.”
REIDsteel used 65 tonnes of British Steel as well as British made Tata composite panels for cladding at the site.
Over the past eight years the Penton Motor Group has built four new showrooms for its franchised motor business and renovated a further three separate investment buildings.
The park is a new direction for the long-established Wilson family business, which has substantial locations in Christchurch, Poole, Salisbury and Andover for its motor business. It has developed this ground-up commercial investment property in Christchurch to add to its non-motor trade portfolio.
Penton Group managing director Robert Wilson said: “The completed park looks even better than we expected and it is great to see it open for business.
“We are very pleased at the result and will be seeking similar investments in the area. For this business park to attract some national and substantial expanding companies to trade from this location is a major success.
“It can only be good for the Christchurch and Bournemouth conurbation and local employment.
“It represents the major regeneration of a brown field-site which is expected to bring 30 plus new jobs and economic benefits for the area.
“We are pleased to have worked with a local firm of the calibre of REIDsteel on this project along with other high-quality contractors in the area.
“Congratulations to all involved especially our financial director Jan Dibden and his team who successfully headed up this project.”
The Penton Business Park extends over a total of 1,885 sq metres/20,300 sq ft on a site formerly occupied by Boyland Joinery. It includes ample parking for 50 vehicles.
It is wholly owned and managed by the Penton Motor Group. The Group is a 100% family business of 50 years standing in the new and used car market with over 140 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, Salisbury and Andover.
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.
