Work is about to commence on more than 25,000 sq ft of speculative industrial development in Somerset with the appointment of contractors at the £150 million Bridgwater Gateway business park.
Devon Contractors, based at Clyst St. Mary near Exeter, have been appointed to build five 5,000 sq ft units at the site beside junction 24 of the M5 with a view to completion by Christmas 2019.
The state-of-the-art modern units will include first floor offices and landscaped, dedicated car parking at the front. There will be loading doors and parking areas for delivery vehicles at the rear, to be accessed separately.
Bridgwater Gateway is the newest business park development on the M5 corridor. The first phase of the mixed-use scheme will feature a range of new office and commercial buildings, together with a four-star hotel with conference facilities and a Premier Inn, which is already under construction.
“The decision by our investors to press ahead with what is the only speculative development in the area was a real vote of confidence in the strength of both the local industrial market and in the regional economy,” says Phil Wade, Development Manager at Bridgwater Gateway.
“Now we are delighted to have appointed Devon Contractors, a local company with an outstanding track record in the sector, to break ground over the summer and deliver these units ready for occupancy by Christmas.”
Tim Davies, head of the South West and Wales at global real estate advisor Colliers International, which is property agent for the scheme, said: “It is great to have Devon Contractors on board and to help deliver more local employment opportunities in what is already a dynamic industrial market in and around Bridgwater.”
Established in 1946, Devon Contractors have built on their long-standing reputation for delivering high-quality buildings on time, and within budget. They carry out minor and major works across a range of sectors up to a value of around £1.2 million, working primarily across Somerset, Devon and Cornwall.
Nick England, director and contracts manager at Devon Contractors, said: “We are delighted to be appointed as the main contractor for this high-profile project and are looking forward to working with the client and our fellow professionals. To be involved in the first prestigious Bridgwater Gateway Industrial Ltd. scheme is very exciting.”