The Midlands office of leading independent property advisory GVA has been appointed to provide estate management services for IM Properties’ Birch Coppice Business Park near Tamworth.
GVA’s Property Management Consultancy (PMC) will provide full property management services across the 400 acre estate.
Situated in Dordon at Junction 10 of the M42, Birch Coppice Business Park has been transformed by IM Properties from a disused colliery into the West Midlands’ largest rail-served development site, and one of the region’s biggest employment success stories.
Guy Thompson, Director, PMC, said: “We were invited to pitch for this contract following our appointment in 2012 to manage another IM asset in Worcester. We demonstrated the substantial savings that had been secured on that building through a number of initiatives including reductions in electrical consumption and costs, together with income generation from previously untapped sources.
“In order for Birch Coppice to maintain its reputation as one of the Midlands’ premier distribution parks and a destination of choice for occupiers, we need to think outside of the box and continually reassess the requirements of this evolving site.
“Our first step will now be to undertake a full review of the service charge costs, the types of services that are provided on site and explore further sustainability measures that can be incorporated for the benefit of IM Properties and its on-site tenants.
“We are very much looking forward to working closely with IM Properties, the contractors and occupiers during this busy and exciting period.”
One of Birch Coppice’s greatest strengths is its connectivity, with its location at the heart of the UK motorway network – just half a mile from Junction 10 of the M42 – and with the on-site Birmingham International Freight Terminal providing access to the UK’s rail infrastructure.
Kevin Ashfield, Development Director, IM Properties, said: “Birch Coppice Business Park is the largest rail-served development site in the region, with an outstanding location and quality that has appealed to a range of blue-chip companies.
“Birch Coppice presents an attractive offer for any business, with its location, connectivity and availability of a local workforce. The level of high-quality occupiers here is a testament to the strength and value of our location.
“While we have previous experience of working with GVA, their appointment has come purely from the strength of their pitch, which demonstrated a natural synergy with our vision for Birch Coppice.
“With continued on-going development work, this is a complex and busy location however we are confident that GVA has the skills and experience necessary to facilitate the smooth running of this site.”
Occupiers at Birch Coppice include Ocado, UPS, Volkswagen Group, Euro Car Parts, TNT and Roadways Container Logistics.
Birch Coppice is also home to the first large-scale speculatively-developed industrial units to be built since 2008, with work already underway on the units.