Work is now well underway on Shortwood Business Park, the first of three developments located within one mile of M1 Junction 36, marketed as the Sector 36 Business Parks. Shortwood will provide six high quality speculative business units set in landscaped surroundings and is on track to be completed by the end of August 2005.

Work is well underway on Shortwood Business Park (from left to right) Chris Rowlands of Chris Rowlands & Co, Andrew Ainsworth of BDA, Anuj Joshi of Priority Sites and Toby Vernon of Knight Frank.

Developed by Priority Sites, one of the most active commercial developers in the UK, the business park will provide 60,000 sq ft of speculative industrial development with units ranging from 6,000 to 25,000 sq ft. The £5.4 million development has been part funded by the South Yorkshire Objective 1 Programme which has invested £1.7 million from the European Regional Development Fund. Anuj Joshi, Development Director at Priority Sites commented, “South Yorkshire is proving a very popular location for our developments and we are delighted with the early interest from occupiers in our scheme at Shortwood.”

Joint property agents Knight Frank and Chris Rowlands & Co have received strong interest in the units, with the 10,000 sq ft now under offer. Chris Rowlands commented, “The site’s location and features present a great opportunity for businesses which require flexibility and quality in their workspace. The fact that there is significant early interest from companies demonstrates the excellent facilities offered by this exciting development.” Toby Vernon of Knight Frank reports; “The South Yorkshire area continues to suffer from a shortage of good quality, new build industrial property with a limited amount of development taking place. As a result, demand has remained strong and where developments such as Shortwood Business Park take place, we experience a good level of enquiries”.

The Sector 36 Business Parks are a huge boost for the economic development prospects of Barnsley. Andrew Ainsworth of Barnsley Development Agency adds, "The Sector 36 Business Parks form an important part of the overall regeneration strategy for the M1 Strategic Economic Zone, which will bring new jobs and stimulate inward investment. We look forward to welcoming new companies to the Shortwood Business Park soon."

Companies interested in units at Shortwood which are available on a freehold or leasehold basis should contact Toby Vernon of Knight Frank on 0114 2729750, Chris Rowlands on 01226 791984 or Andrew Ainsworth at Barnsley Development Agency on Tel: 01226 784 451 or see www.barnsleydevelopmentagency.co.uk