WORK on a £4.8m County Durham industrial scheme which will create more than 130 jobs was completed last year and interest in the units has already been high, with the first tenants expected to move in soon.

Ten industrial units at Station Place in Newton Aycliffe are now available, representing a total of more than 50,500sq. ft of space.

Designed to support new and expanding businesses, the units vary in size up to 8,700sq. ft and are available for immediate occupation.

Station Place is part of the wider £90m Merchant Park industrial scheme – a 65-acre development at Aycliffe Business Park, located off J59 of the A1(M).

The business park is home to more than 500 companies employing around 10,000 people, including international firms such as Hitachi Rail, Husqvarna, 3M, Gestamp Tallent and Lidl.

As the biggest single employment area in the North-East – and one of the largest business parks in the UK – Aycliffe Business Park is a strategically important site for economic development within County Durham and the wider North-East.

Businesses taking up the units will benefit from the convenience of being in a newly built facility. With all units having a ‘B’ energy efficiency rating, businesses can enjoy lower utility bills and reduced maintenance costs. There is also capability to install electric car charging points.

Durham County Council has agreed a 35-year-lease to support the development of the industrial units at Station Place.

Managed by Business Durham, the business support service of the council, the units are part of its extensive portfolio of industrial property.

The development was delivered in partnership with Merchant Anglo and Rokeby Developments.

The Northern Echo: The units, which are available for immediate occupation, have a ‘B’ energy efficiency rating and can have electric car charging points installedThe units, which are available for immediate occupation, have a ‘B’ energy efficiency rating and can have electric car charging points installed (Image: Business Durham)

Cllr James Rowlandson, Cabinet Member for Resources, Investment and Assets at Durham County Council, said: “We’re thrilled to see the development of Station Place come to fruition. It will add much-needed growth space to this strategically important hub and bring genuine added value to the regional economy.

“Our Business Durham team looks forward to welcoming new tenants to the units and supporting their growth.

Geoff Hunton, director at Merchant Anglo, said: “Demand for quality industrial property has remained high in the area, with a renewed focus on expansion and the need to future-proof supply chains in the post-pandemic era. There’s also continued high demand due to changes in the market caused by COVID, growing online demand and Brexit.”

Adrian Goodhall of Rokeby Developments, the development manager for Merchant Anglo, said: “In addition to having fantastic access to key road, rail, air and sea links, businesses at Station Place will be part of a thriving employment hub which caters for a wide variety of industries. We expect to see strong demand for these high-quality units.”

For more information about Station Place and to book a viewing visit www.stationplace.co.uk

The Northern Echo: