KING Sturge has let a 23,500 sq ft industrial unit at Aycliffe Business Park in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, to Mears Ltd.

The unit is one of several properties that have been upgraded on the estate following a substantial investment programme by new managers, Valad Property Group, which recently invested more than £1m in the refurbishment of the industrial estate on behalf of its client fund, The Industrial Trust.

This latest deal follows a number of recent lettings totalling over 50,000 sq ft in the first quarter of 2009, building on the 250,000 sq ft of industrial stock let in 2008.

Mears Ltd is a leading social housing repairs and maintenance provider.

The group has recently been awarded a contract to carry out repairs and maintenance work to council housing stock for Sedgefield Homes and subsequently had a requirement for industrial space in the area.

Martin Gaffney, compliance manager with Mears, said: “The refurbished premises at Aycliffe Industrial Park provide us with ideal storage and distribution space for materials, plus the property’s prominent position within the industrial park is just a short drive time to the residential areas of Sedgefield.”

Tim Powner, associate at King Sturge in Newcastle, said: “We are delighted to have successfully let further industrial space at Aycliffe Business Park despite tough market conditions.

“Recent investment in the park, along with our ongoing marketing strategy, has enabled us to attract a number of new occupiers.”

A number of newly-refurbished industrial units remain available at Aycliffe Business Park, ranging from small starter units of around 3,000 sq ft to larger distribution units of up to 100,000 sq ft. The vacant accommodation is suitable for immediate occupation on flexible lease terms at competitive rentals. Joint letting agents for the park are King Sturge and Sanderson Weatherall.