West Yorkshire employment park launches second phase

A West Yorkshire employment park has launched the second phase in its development which, when completed, will maintain 200 new and sustainable jobs.

The Flanshaw Business Park development in Wakefield was bought by multi-let developer, Frank Marshall Estates of Bradford, from Flanshaw Property Ltd for £1.3m in 2020.

The second phase of the development comprises 26,000 sq ft of high-quality units ranging in size from 1,500 sq ft up to 6,000 sq ft. The main contractors are Percy Pickard of Bradford.

Edward Marshall, director of Frank Marshall Estates, commented: “When we bought this land, we promised to create the best business park that Wakefield has ever had. We are now delivering on that promise, despite the challenges posed by the global pandemic and the uncertainty surrounding Yorkshire’s commercial property market.

“It is clear that there is a massive pent-up demand in West Yorkshire for high-quality buildings of 10,000 sq ft and under in great locations. We are pleased to be the leading developer in the region for this specific market.

“Wakefield is a logistics and distribution hotspot, thanks to its superb position at the centre of Yorkshire’s excellent motorway network. We estimate that the park, once it is fully developed out, will maintain 200 new and sustainable jobs, providing a substantial boost to the area’s economy.

“This is already a development of which Wakefield is justifiably proud. The city is a well-established commercial centre with a large, skilled labour force. The majority of occupiers of our first phase are quality local businesses who needed properties to match their expanding businesses. But we are also bringing companies from other areas into Wakefield.”

Rob Oliver, principal at property consultancy Avison Young, commented: “When we sold this site to Frank Marshall Estates, we were confident from the outset that a scheme of this nature would be well received by the local occupational market.

“Whilst there has been a number of mid-size and big box developments in the Wakefield area over recent years, there has been relatively little development of smaller units, despite good demand.

“We are delighted that this development has been so well received by the local occupational market and are proud of our role in securing deals here.”