A KEY-HANDOVER ceremony took place this week for the largest speculative business units yet constructed at Beacon Park by Great Yarmouth Borough Council as part of efforts to further boost the growing local economy.

The ceremony at the park, in Gorleston-on-Sea, was followed by a special promotional event in which commercial property agents and business advisors were given a guided tour of the two units, which measure 1,415 sq m (15,230sq ft) and 1,912 sq m (20,579sq ft) each, including around 10 per cent as office space.

In a sign of confidence in the local economy, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, the owner and developer of the premier park, is investing £8m to build more than 100,000sq ft of floorspace in four phases. Beacon Park is part of the Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft (New Anglia) Enterprise Zone, which focuses on growing energy-related business within the East of England Energy Zone.

The two units, which comprise the £3.5m third phase, are targeted at the growing energy sector in the Great Yarmouth borough. Once sold to occupiers, they are estimated to bring around 75 extra jobs to Beacon Park.

This week, ELM Contracts, a Great Yarmouth-based construction businesses, officially handed over the keys to Cllr Trevor Wainwright, the council leader.

Cllr Wainwright said: “The completion of these new units, delivered by the borough council, is another milestone in the success story of Beacon Park, which is growing fast and supporting the local economy thanks to continued public and private investment, as evidenced by the fact that more than 6,000 sq m (65,000 sq ft) of industrial floorspace is currently under construction for identified energy sector companies.

“Before these new units were even finished, there was already strong interest from potential occupiers, focused on the energy sector. And the agents who toured the buildings were also impressed, so I’m confident firms will soon be moving in, securing and creating local jobs.

“The fact that so many businesses are relocating to and expanding within the borough indicates huge confidence in the local economy, the skills of the workforce, the port and business park facilities, and the Enterprise Zone.”

Chris Starkie, managing director of New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “We are delighted to see so many new buildings under construction in the Enterprise Zone and new occupiers moving in, bringing new jobs to Great Yarmouth.

“These two new units present fantastic opportunities for energy-related businesses to flourish in the New Anglia Enterprise Zone. We can offer companies a range of exciting benefits including a discount on business rates of up to £275,000 to kick-start their growth and create more jobs in the local area.

Michael Fleming, director of ELM Contracts, said: “ELM Contracts are delighted to have undertaken the construction of Units A and B, Lancelot Road, Beacon Park. These two units are the largest speculative builds to have been carried at Beacon Park.

“The standard of finish is of an extremely high quality and works were completed on time. ELM Contracts are a Great Yarmouth-based construction company and are pleased to be part of the development of this area.”

The high-specification development includes secure vehicle turning, loading and unloading areas, dedicated car parking space and generous levels of landscaping.

Businesses interested in moving to Beacon Park can contact the appointed agents, Bycroft Commercial and Arnolds Keys, or visit www.beaconpark.co.uk

Notes:

• Beacon Park is the significant growth area in the region, with a sustainable mixture of jobs to support the population, as well as a planned new Sainsbury’s superstore and key infrastructure, including the new A12/A143 link road through the park, part-funded by the borough council, which will unlock new homes, jobs and facilities.

• Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft (New Anglia) Enterprise Zone provides a range of benefits for energy-related businesses to help them grow, including a discount on business rates of up to £275,000, simplified planning, and super-fast broadband.

• Business at Beacon Park include global offshore manufacturing firm NOV Hydra-Rig, Virgin Atlantic Flightstore, ElectroTech, Diesel Power (East Anglia) Ltd, Nexus engineering training centre and MacLean Electrical.

• There will be over £50bn capital expenditure invested in the East of England Energy Zone over the next 20 years in offshore wind farms, oil and gas exploration and extraction, nuclear – new build and decommissioning – and gas storage and platform decommissioning.

—

advert

ARS – Asbestos Risk Surveys, Norfolk 01953 604411