Jonathan Simpson( left) of Connect Property North East with Merchant Park Development direcors Adrian Goodall( centre) and Michael Chicken.
“ ESG and net zero commitments are extremely important to us,” says Adrian.
“ For too long, many Aycliffe businesses were stuck in outdated premises with leaking roofs and poor energy performance. What we’ re delivering here is fit-for-purpose, efficient and future-ready.”
The units, with 12-metre eaves heights, are designed to appeal to both manufacturers and distributors, addressing a market gap identified by Merchant Park.
While major“ big box” schemes at Bowburn and Darlington target national logistics, Aycliffe’ s new units are expected to attract local and regional firms looking for 50,000- 100,000 sq ft premises.
But the journey has not always been smooth. As Adrian reflects:“ It’ s a hard grind making things happen.
“ For a long time, Newton Aycliffe was associated with tired, post-war buildings. But now we’ re creating modern, high-quality facilities, right next to Hitachi – and what better corporate neighbour could you ask for?”.
Merchant’ s persistence echoes the earlier challenges of Station Place, which had to navigate the twin storms of Brexit and the pandemic before being completed in 2022.
Yet both projects demonstrate Merchant Park’ s consistent ability to innovate and deliver.
“ DEVELOPMENTS LIKE MERCHANT PARK SHOW WHAT’ S POSSIBLE WHEN WE INVEST IN OUR LOCAL BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND BACK THEIR AMBITION.
- NORTH EAST MAYOR KIM MCGUINNESS
With phase one already completed, and demand for modern space outstripping supply, the prospects for the Millennium Way development look bright.
Occupiers are already expressing interest, with attention quickly turning to phases two and three.
For Adrian, the journey is personal as well as professional.“ Being from the North-East, it makes me immensely proud that our company is making such a big impact here” he adds.
“ These developments don’ t just provide buildings – they provide opportunities, jobs and confidence in the future of Aycliffe Business Park and the North-East.”
From helicopter rides with Japanese executives to shiny new warehouses rising from the ground, the Merchant Park story is one of vision matched with delivery.
Geoff, Adrian, Michael and their team have shown that when the right people, partners
On site at the Merchant Park site is( from left) Chris Dixon( FW Capital), Michael Chicken( Merchant Park), North East mayor Kim McGuinness, Geoff Hunton and Adrian Goodall( Merchant Park).
and place come together, Aycliffe can compete with the best.
As demand for modern industrial space continues to grow, Merchant Park’ s latest venture promises to cement Aycliffe’ s reputation as a business location of choice.
It’ s a legacy already a decade in the making, and one that shows no sign of slowing down.
For enquiries please contact Jonathan Simpson of Connect Property North East on 01642 602 001 or email jonathan @ cpne. co. uk, or Dave Cato at CBRE on 0113 394 8821 or email dave. cato @ cbre. com
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