Eighty new jobs for Thirsk as Marrtree launches first phase of £5.5m business park

Leading Yorkshire developer Marrtree Investments has completed the first 40,000 sq ft, £3m phase of its £5.5m Marrtree Business Park at Thirsk, with tenants already signed up for seven of the scheme’s 16 high-spec units.

Part of the 950-home, 85-acre Sowerby Gateway development, close to the A19 and A1(M) at Thirsk, the development has been completed by Marrtree Investment on schedule this month, despite the pressures of ongoing covid restrictions. Tenants have begun moving into the high-spec employment units that are the hallmark of the more than 20 Marrtree business parks located on strategic employment sites across the north of England.

Building supplies firms Toolstation and Screwfix have both taken 4,000 sq ft units on the site, with trade counter operations now open. Also signed up are bathrooms supplier PJH, Duftons Plumbing and Heating Supplies, Motor Parts Direct, electrical wholesaler Upex and Amie Dawson Gym.

Around 80 new jobs will be created by phase I of the business park. Phase II, due to get underway later this year, will create a further 30,000 sq ft of space across thee 10,000 sq ft buildings, representing another £2.5m investment for Marrtree and generating more jobs.

George Marshall, director said: “We’re really excited to have completed this first phase of the business park without too many hold ups. Demand has been really strong for our modern units, which isn’t surprising when you consider that Sowerby Gateway is set to become a major employment hub and couldn’t be better located for road access to the north, and indeed the whole of the country.

Director, William Marshall added: “With the current escalating unemployment situation it is great to be able to facilitate new jobs coming to Thirsk and we are looking forward to cracking on with phase II of the scheme, which will bring yet more job opportunities and economic benefits to the area. We also have an ongoing programme of further Marrtree business parks, with further sites to announce over the coming months.”

Founded in Bradford in the 1940s, and now run by the third-generation brothers William and George Marshall, the Marrtree Group of companies has operated for over 80 years. With interests in commercial and residential property, quarrying and forestry, the business is now based in Harrogate.

L-R: George Marshall, William Marshall at Marrtree Business Park, Sowerby Gateway