6th March 2002
PARK SPRINGS DEVELOPMENT TRANSFORMS GRIMETHORPE INTO A STRATEGIC LOCATION FOR BUSINESS

GREat Expectations
The future is now bright for Grimethorpe thanks to Grimethorpe Regeneration Executive (GRE) and Barnsley Development Agency (BDA), with more than ever before to offer potential commercial investors who might be considering a business location or relocation.



Acting as a single focus for regeneration and investment initiatives, GRE is facilitating the phased creation of Park Springs employment site, which offers inward investment and indigenous business growth opportunities.

Shaun Higginbottom of GRE and BDA said: "Park Springs is within a Strategic Economic Zone designated under South Yorkshire's Objective One Programme. This enables owner occupiers wishing to develop bespoke premises or developers wishing to undertake speculative development at Park Springs to receive financial support of up to 35% of eligible costs. Park Springs has an excellent road infrastructure, an available and skilled labour supply and comprehensive financial incentives to compete with any area in the UK. This is a unique opportunity for investors to take advantage of these benefits at the beginning of what will be a great success story for the area."

Park Springs Blossoms
Currently the subject of a phased reclamation programme by both Yorkshire Forward and UK Coal (formerly RJB Mining), the 68 hectare (171 acres) Park Springs development offers affordable, quality opportunities for inward investment and business growth that is benefiting the wider regional economy. Park Springs is located close to the M1, A1M, A635, and M62 via the new £9.5 million link road which allows businesses to take advantage of excellent transportation links and accessible markets.

Park Springs is now only 15 minutes from the A1 by road, and around 15 minutes from the M1. Prior to the new link road, access times were at least double that, with traffic to and from the M1 having to negotiate Barnsley town centre to reach Grimethorpe; now all that's changed. Re-establishing the former rail connection at a cost of £2.5 million may also enhance Park Springs’ strategic location. Park Springs is supported with funding from Yorkshire Forward, English Partnerships, European Regional Development Fund (Objective One Programme), Single Regeneration Budget, and private sector investment.



Turning good ideas into SASH
SASH Products (UK) Ltd originally relocated onto Park Springs and moved into a 6500m2 (70,000 sq ft) purpose built unit. They have since expanded and now occupy a 10219m2 (110,000sq ft) unit. SASH's former factory now forms Phase III of the Acorn development, providing for eight industrial units which are fully occupied. Thirteen smaller managed workspace units were also created at the Acorn Centre, representing a stepping stone for small companies wishing to expand; this centre is already over 90% occupied.

Park Springs takes a giant leap Forward
So successful has Park Springs been so far, that Yorkshire Forward are building four speculative industrial units totaling some 3251m2 (35,000sq ft):
1 unit of 1394m2 (15,000sq ft); 1 unit of 929m2 (10,000sq ft); and 2 units of 465m2 (5,000sq ft) each. These are nearing completion and are expected to be ready by June. Yorkshire Forward is also in the process of reclaiming a further 32 hectares (80 acres) of brownfield land at Park Springs, of which it is anticipated 20 hectares (50 acres) will be available for development by the end of the year.



GRE and BDA in partnership
Park Springs is fast becoming Yorkshire’s strategic location for new and indigenous business growth. Under the banner of BDA, the following additional benefits are on offer in the Barnsley area:
• Access to European Funding from Objective 1
• Development Area status
• Enterprise Zone status (on certain sites)
• Competitive land prices
• Bespoke recruitment and training packages
• Assistance with site selection
• Unrivalled aftercare support
• Additional Regional Selective Assistance for capital development costs

Barnsley Development Agency brings together the partnership-based resources to effectively tackle the broad range of economic development and regeneration tasks required to significantly transform the Barnsley economy and the prospects of Barnsley’s citizens over a ten year period. GRE and BDA are working closely together to secure a more positive future for Grimethorpe, with a genuine partnership approach and commitment to a vision of change.

Your business could be part of that vision; for more information contact Shaun Higginbottom at Grimethorpe Regeneration Executive, The Acorn Centre, 51 High Street, Grimethorpe, Barnsley S72 7BB. Tel 01226 716700, Fax 01226 716499.

E-mail: enquiries@gre.park-springs.com or
shigginbottom@barnsleydevelopmentagency.co.uk
www.park-springs.com


Back to main Press Releases page

If you require any further information please email us.

Barnsley Development Agency
Beevor Court, Pontefract Road, Barnsley S71 1HG
Telephone: +44 (0)1226 784444

© 2002