Uskvale Enterprise, Development & Investment Company, a modern economic and social entrepreneur, has moved to the Barleyfields Industrial Estate at Brynmawr in Blaenau Gwent as its base for future growth across its self-defined ‘Uskvale’ region.
Established in 2012, the company focuses its range of complementary activities within a 20 miles radius of Brynmawr. It identifies, invests in and develops a range of mutually co-operative businesses under the single brand and infrastructure of Uskvale.
Having originally set up in Blackrock, Clydach, through Uskvale Asset Management Company, the Group has expanded into a 30,148 sq ft business unit on the industrial estate with an initial five year lease. Landlord M7 Real Estate was advised by Knight Frank and Jenkins Best. Uskvale Asset Management represented itself.
Peter Woodley, managing director of Uskvale and a chartered surveyor, said: “We are looking to build not just a business brand, but also the regional brand that is ‘Uskvale’ itself, which extends from Monmouth to Merthyr Tydfil, down to Pontypridd, back across to Chepstow and then winds its way back up through the Forest of Dean and Wye Valley, back to Monmouth.
“Focusing our efforts on this area, we promote business, economic and social opportunities in the widest possible sense. We provide the initial business proposal and branding, develop and fund it through infancy and then when ready, seek somebody who wants to work for themself and is suitably experienced, and driven, as a joint venture partner. They then drive it forward, using our initial investment and resources and ongoing support.”
The business currently includes Uskvale Outlet Centre, Uskvale Auction Centre, Uskvale Retail Partners and Uskvale Web Design. They are also working on several other business ventures, including state of the art music and recording studios, a regional delivery and distribution service, an internet and software development company and a late night home delivery service for convenience goods and alcohol. Peter Woodley said “Each business inter-relates with the others, promoting the regional brand as a whole and creating new opportunities in turn. Hence, we needed the additional space Barleyfields could give us.”
Peter Woodley continued: “The space within the building was ideally configured to allow different businesses to work with one another, whilst also providing a degree of separation and individual identity. Also, the Industrial Estate is ideally located, being at the centre of our area of operations and within walking distance of the town centre.”
Neil Francis, associate at Knight Frank, said: “Barleyfields has great access to the Heads of the Valleys road and provides excellent value for money for growing companies such as Uskvale.”
Anthony Jenkins of Jenkins Best added: ‘’This letting proves again that, even in a difficult market, as long as a landlord takes a flexible and proactive approach there are deals to be done throughout the area.’’