The record-breaking Baildon Business Park, comprising 150,000 sq ft of quality industrial and warehousing space, is now full.
Richard Heslop, managing director of Ilkley-based property consultancy DE Commercial, revealed that ground-breaking sales per sq ft had been achieved at the 13-acre West Yorkshire business park.
He explained: “As the lead agent on this prestigious development, DE Commercial is delighted to announce that the third and final phase is complete and the last buildings have been sold.
“The park, which is ideally situated next to the A6038 linking Guiseley with Shipley, has attracted 15 companies to its high specification industrial and warehouse buildings. Overall, this has created in excess of 125 new and sustainable jobs.
“DE Commercial, who concluded all deals on the park bar one, achieved record prices for the area – £85 per sq ft on the larger buildings (3,000 sq ft upwards) and £100 per sq ft on smaller buildings (2,000-3,000 sq ft).
“This is testament, not only to the quality of the product delivered by the developer, Pendle Russells Ltd, but the performance of the industrial and warehouse sector which continues to outperform other commercial property sectors in West Yorkshire,” said Mr Heslop.
“The success of the business park just goes to show how businesses are crying out for new, purpose-built facilities like this in a great location, with good transport links.”
Buyers include Canvasman, a designer and manufacturer of boat covers and shade sails, Laxtons, specialist yarn manufacturer, and Anetic Aid, world-leading designer and supplier of hospital equipment.
Produmax, a precision engineering firm in the aerospace industry, was the first occupier to relocate to the park and have since acquired a further 15,000 sq ft to accommodate their growth strategy.
Altogether there are 14 buildings in the main park, with eight hybrid units, comprising two storeys of warehouse and office space, at the front. All the buildings have been designed and built to the occupiers’ specification.
All the buildings on the main park have been sold to owner occupiers, while four of the hybrids have been bought by owner occupiers and four bought by investors.
“There is an excellent mix of occupiers,” said Mr Heslop, “including aerospace, textiles, professional services and med tech companies.”
The park was developed in a joint venture between Pendle Projects and Russell Construction of Manchester, who bought the land from Bradford Council.
Mark Taylforth, the managing director of Pendle Projects, commented: “Pendle Projects is an active development company in the West Yorkshire region and we have worked with Richard Heslop for a number of years.
“Richard is well-connected and, importantly, knows the market. His knowledge and expertise was crucial in helping to ensure the success of this high-profile development, as he gets involved in all aspects of the transaction to ensure deliverability and success of the business park.”
Mr Heslop, who has more than 25 years’ experience of the commercial property market, explained that he founded DE Commercial when the residential arm of property consultancy Dale Eddison, where he was a commercial property partner, was bought by Linley & Simpson.
“In these circumstances, it made perfect sense to launch DE Commercial as a stand-alone commercial property agency. This is a wonderful opportunity for us to consolidate and enhance our position as one of West Yorkshire’s premier independent commercial property consultancies. Our prime focus is on Airedale and Wharfedale, but we have worked on successful developments across the north of England.”
