Huddersfield’s restored historic Park Valley House secures first pre-lets

Two-pre lets have been confirmed at Park Valley House, the historic 19th century mill office at the heart of Park Valley Business Park in Lockwood, Huddersfield, which is currently being restored to its former glory.

The 6,000 sq ft heritage building, which is being transformed into high-quality office accommodation, is due for completion in August.

Two West Yorkshire companies, Momentum Sales Solutions and Holmfirth Dyers, have already taken office space in Park Valley House.

Momentum, an executive business training and development consultancy, has taken 750 sq ft at a rent of approximately £12.50 per sq ft, while Holmfirth Dyers, which own Park Valley Business Park, is relocating to a purpose-built 750 sq ft office in the restored building.

Furthermore, the remainder of the 13-acre Park Valley Business Park is being converted into a high-quality business park, featuring 18 brand-new industrial units with office and storage space, by Holmfirth Dyers.

Park Valley Business Park was previously derelict for several years, with buildings falling into disrepair. However, the revamped site off Meltham Road in Lockwood has now created more than 70 new jobs and is regenerating the area.

In addition, the final unites in Phase One have been leased to expanding Kirklees firm Distinct Disposables. Founded in 1987, the family-owned company is a one-stop-cleaning shop, distributing cleaning and janitorial products to West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and Manchester.

Distinct Disposables has taken of 5,560 sq ft quality business space at a base rent of £5.85 and moved into its new headquarters at Park Valley Business Park last month.

Pete Evans, managing director of Momentum, said: “As our company expanded, we needed to locate larger premises in the Huddersfield area. We were lucky enough to find Park Valley House, which was absolutely perfect. The ethos of the historic old mill office is wonderful, as is the working ambience. At the same time the location is perfect for us close to Yorkshire’s superb motorway. It ticks every single box for us.

“Park Valley House was the perfect choice, as the complex is in a central location, has ample parking and is full of character. We recognised its potential, as it is being transformed into a stylish, well-finished office with some of the original features left intact.

“This combination of old and new, of historic and cutting edge, fits our brand perfectly”.

Altogether there is more than 4,000 sq ft of quality office space still available to lease within the three-storey Park Valley House, with flexible floorplates ranging from 300 sq ft to 2,000 sq ft for potential occupiers.

Holmfirth Dyers managing director Martin Duckett explained that work on Phase Two, which features 9,250 sq ft of quality industrial space, divided into units as required, has now been completed.

He said: “There is a distinct lack of high-quality units in Huddersfield, so we have not been surprised by the demand for our attractive and practical modern units, which start from 2,200 sq ft and can be adapted to suit tenants’ requirements”.

Mike Haigh, partner with Leeds property consultancy Dove Haigh Phillips, added: “This is a superb development for Huddersfield, which is already creating jobs and regenerating the area.

“Holmfirth Dyers must be congratulated on building speculatively in a challenging commercial property market. The company has tremendous faith in the Huddersfield area and is delighted to welcome new occupiers to this site, which has a proud history and a great future.”

Paul Kemp, assistant director for investment and regeneration for Kirklees Council, commented: “The council welcomes the fact that a successful local company is leading on a scheme to provide much-needed expansion space for businesses to the Huddersfield area.”