Changes and growth in the healthcare sector globally are also being seen in Taunton, says South West developer Summerfield, reporting a significant shift in the occupier profile at Blackbrook Business Park.
Health insurer WPA was one of the first occupiers on Blackbrook at Junction 25 of the M5, in the early 1990s. At the time, the business park was primarily home to organisations in the professional services, finance and hospitality sectors. More recently, Blackbrook has evolved into an important hub for medical and healthcare occupiers.
Five years ago, Taunton Diagnostic Centre, the UK’s first modern community diagnostic centre on an NHS and independent partnership model opened in Zenith House on the Park. In 2023 Somerset NHS Foundation Trust took on the lease, strengthening the healthcare presence at Blackbrook.
Healthcare and medical occupiers have repurposed office accommodation over recent years, expanding their clinical and patient services. They include Somerset Care, Meddcare Somerset, Lakeside Dental, the Ophthalmology Diagnostic Centre, About Health, HUC and nearby SpaMedica.
Responding to demand, Summerfield has been quick to adapt, offering flexible space within existing offices while also making available the final vacant development plot suitable for a variety of uses and on a sale or lease basis.
Ben Trickey, Commercial Director at Summerfield Commercial, said: “Blackbrook Park has changed over the years, with the nature of occupiers shifting away from purely office occupiers to more in the healthcare and medical sectors. Drawn by the proximity of Blackbrook to the Taunton junction of the M5, occupiers find it readily accessible to the wider South West region.”
Summerfield and their joint agents, Andrew Maynard of Alder King and David Kerr of Cushman & Wakefield are currently working on enquiries for new buildings on Blackbrook Business Park, including a new development on part of the final plot with interest from healthcare operators.
