Construction of a 140,000 sq ft headquarters building at the new £120 million Worcester Six Business Park will begin soon after planners gave the development the green light.
Leading commercial property developer Stoford Developments gained planning consent from Wychavon District Council to build the unit after securing Kimal Plc as the first company to commit to moving to the prestigious site.
Kimal PLC agreed to locate its new headquarters at Worcester Six, located off junction six of the M5 near Worcester. The development will provide 1.5 million sq ft of accommodation and create up to 5,000 jobs.
Kimal, a market leader in developing and manufacturing a range of innovative products and procedural solutions for the healthcare sector, has agreed a 15-year lease for the £13 million unit. Construction will commence in October for the estate road with the main building construction due to commence in early 2018. Practical completion is expected in mid 2018.
The new HQ demonstrates Kimal’s determination to remain in Worcestershire where it will continue to grow, with plans to create up to an additional 100 jobs. The company’s success means it is outgrowing its existing accommodation at Droitwich and Redditch. Employees at these two centres will be relocated to the new HQ. The company will continue to operate at sites in Bromsgrove and Uxbridge.
Gerard Ludlow said: “The agreement with Kimal marked a significant milestone as it was the first pre-let occupier to be secured at the site. Now that we have planning consent we can begin construction and look forward to the company moving to Worcester Six next year.”
Worcestershire County Council Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy and Infrastructure Councillor Dr Ken Pollock said: “We are delighted to see the continued commitment from Kimal to investment and growth in the County. Confirming Kimal as the first occupier on Worcester Six is a big step forward in the right direction and reinforces Worcester Six as one of the premier employment locations in the Midlands. I look forward to more of the businesses that are currently considering the site committing over the coming months.”
Gary Woodman, Chief Executive of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “It is great to see that planning consent has been approved for the construction of Kimal’s new headquarters at Worcester Six. Kimal’s expansion highlights the benefits of investing in Worcestershire, as the med-tech business has been able to secure a new highly-connected headquarters to continue its rapid growth and create even more jobs for the county’s skilled workforce.”