“ THE LEVEL OF INTEREST IS REALLY STRONG , SO WE EXPECT THE UNITS TO BE SNAPPED UP QUICKLY , AND THAT ’ S GREAT NEWS NOT JUST FOR AYCLIFFE BUT THE WHOLE OF THE NORTH-EAST .”
Jonathan Simpson ( left ) of commercial property agents Connect Property North East with Adrian Goodall , director of Rokeby Developments , on the newly-completed Station Place development , phase two of Merchant Park . optic broadband , on-site car parking , and an Energy Performance Certificate ( EPC ) rating of B . A funding agreement was reached with Waypoint Asset Management and Durham County Council took a 35-year lease to sublet the units to local occupiers .
The letting of the units is being managed by Jonathan Simpson , co-founder and director of Connect Property North East , a qualified chartered surveyor with extensive experience in commercial property .
Jonathan , a farmer ’ s son from the Yorkshire Dales , has been dealing with businesses on Aycliffe Business Park for 20 years , and shares Adrian ’ s excitement for what ’ s on offer at Station Place .
“ There was very little availability in terms of empty units on the whole of Aycliffe Business Park ,” says Jonathan .
“ This development is the first speculative build for 20 years , so it opens up opportunities for new and expanding businesses in Premier League accommodation .”
And the completion of phase two of Merchant Park is already having a positive knock-on effect because infrastructure , including road access , is opening up further development opportunities . For example , Durham Animal Feeds has taken an adjacent site to build a 30,000 sq ft warehouse .
“ Station Park is a win-win for Merchant Park , and Aycliffe as a whole , because it ’ s acting as springboard to bring forward other plots for sale ,” adds Adrian .
The units range from 3,196 sq ft to 8,716 , providing new and expanding companies with the opportunity to be part of the Merchant Park success story , on a proven location that is home to a dynamic cluster of international companies that include Husqvarna , Gestamp , Tallent , Lidl and Compound Photonics , in addition to the Hitachi Rail Freight terminal and manufacturing plant .
They have all chosen Merchant Park because of its superb connections : just off junction 59 of the A1 ( M ), within easy reach of Teesside and Newcastle international airports , the Port of Tyne , Teesport , and the Port of Sunderland .
“ It ’ s just a great place to do business and Station Place offers something additional to what ’ s been here before . It could become a key supplier opportunity for manufacturers on Aycliffe Business Park , as well as being the ideal location for start-ups ,” says Jonathan .
“ Wind back the clock 15 years or so ago , and it was a very different story . The general estate was rundown , with a vandalism problem , but now there ’ s a real healthy business community .
“ It ’ s also a pleasant working environment because the whole site is landscaped , with footpaths , ponds , a lake .”
The units also offer : eaves height of seven metres ; a level access loading door ; floor loading capacity of 30 kN / m2 ; 44-114 Kva power ; fitted office space with toilets , a shared service yard , and the capacity to install electric vehicle charging points .
18 | Aycliffe Business