The Business Exchange Swindon & Wiltshire Edition 28: Dec/Jan 2016/17 | Page 31

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY

Business park to drive growth in 2017
Work is now well underway at the Hawke Ridge Business Park, near Westbury.
HPH Ltd, the property firm behind the £50 million scheme, believes that not
only will Hawke Ridge help fulfil the local need for purpose-built modern
business premises but will act as a catalyst to drive the local economy.
Despite periods of uncertainty during
2016 HPH, which has built and managed
property in Wiltshire for 60 years, has
continued to invest in its portfolio over the
last 12 months. Its flagship scheme, Hawke
Ridge Business Park, HPH has already
invested £2 million in ground works,
including a new roundabout, access roads,
connection to mains services, landscaping,
bus shelters and new signage.
A Detailed Planning Application for the
first four business has just been approved
by Wiltshire Council. The units vary in
size from 7,500sq ft to 36,000 sq ft. with
a total area of 67,500 sq ft. The firm is
now considering a further application for
roadside uses such as a convenience store
and take away food.
Chris Wordsworth, development director
at HPH, said: “When complete Hawke
Ridge Business Park could support 1,000
jobs in Wiltshire, and will provide half
a million square feet of much needed
commercial space. But gone are the days
when all a business would need is a roof,

Development by

four walls and a yard. “Hawke Ridge
Business Park enjoys an unusually high level
of connectivity with fibre connections to
both BT and Virgin services immediately
available, giving a choice of provider,
speed, connection and reliability.
“For a business to operate and to thrive
they need a variety of services and at the
top of the list is high speed connectivity
with ultrafast broadband. From the
earliest design phase of the business park
HPH have been working with broadband
providers as we recognise the importance
of connectivity to business development.
“We believe that by offering firms a
complete package of new build services, as
well as build to suit opportunities, we can
support the business community and help
it to thrive.”
As well as Hawke Ridge Business
Park HPH Ltd has invested in the
refurbishment of office space at Bewley
House, Chippenham, and Bakers Yard in
Trowbridge. These refurbishments have
not only led to new occupiers but have

improved the working environments for
existing tenants.
HPH Ltd has also been able to further
advance its green agenda after securing
a loan through Lloyds Bank’s Commercial
Real Estate Green Lending Initiative, which
offers companies a margin discount if
certain sustainability targets are met.
The five-year funding package
involves a commitment from HPH to
further reduce its carbon footprint and
continue its programme of introducing
energy efficiency measures through the
refurbishment of its properties.
According to Alison Williams, associate
partner at Carter Jonas, investment like
this in existing and future property will not
go unrewarded. Following an uncertain
2016 she believes companies looking for
new premises are now more discerning
and are prepared to wait for fit-for-purpose
facilities.
She said: “2016 has been a very
interesting year with changing trends in the
commercial property market.

“Enquiries were consistent over the
summer months and they have gathered
momentum during the autumn. The
majority of these are from well established
companies wishing to expand and have
been planning a move following growth
during 2014 and 2015.
“There is pent up demand for a range
of unit sizes with companies willing to wait
as a long as 12 months for units to satisfy
business demands. A lack of industrial
stock is also driving demand.
“Due to lack of stock we are finding
that companies in the Bath area are now
looking outside the town for property
solutions where they can grow, and Hawke
Ridge Business Park with its modern
infrastructure and convenient location is
helping to meet this demand.”
To discuss how the new premises might
influence your business plan contact Chris
Wordsworth or Lindsay Holdoway at HPH
Ltd on 01225 480555

ACCESSIBLE • FLEXIBLE • FUTURE-PROOF

OUR BROADBAND
IS IN THE FAST LANE.
IS YOURS?
Westbury, Wiltshire BA13 4LD

HAWKE
RIDGE
BUSINESS PARK

hawke-ridge.com

CALL US TODAY FOR YOUR BROCHURE
JAMES GREGORY
01793 615477
alderking.com

ALISON WILLIAMS
01225 747241
carterjonas.co.uk

THE BUSINESS EXCHANGE 2016

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