Balme Business Park, the second phase of the successful Flanshaw Way development in Wakefield, is now fully let.
The business park, which has been masterminded by West Yorkshire’s number one multi-let developer, Frank Marshall Estates of Bradford, comprises 26,000 sq ft of brand-new, high-quality units ranging in size from 1,500 sq ft to 6,000 sq ft.
All nine units have already been let in a flurry of deals. The final available unit has just been let to Howdens Joinery, who have taken 6,750 sq ft at £12 per sq ft on a 15-year lease.
The park has provided £3.5m inward investment for Wakefield and created over 100 new and sustainable jobs. The tenants are Howdens, Clearway, Saint Flooring, Industrial Electronic Repairs, Safe Strip UK and Arentis Ltd.
Balme Business Park has been named after Chris Balme, the long-serving construction director at Frank Marshall Estates. The park was completed last November, with 60 per cent pre-let.
Edward Marshall, director of Frank Marshall Estates, explained: “It seemed only right to honour Chris in this way. He has been with us for over 40 years and has built well over 1,000,000 sq ft of industrial space. He is one of the most knowledgeable and experienced construction professionals in Yorkshire. “
“The fact that the park was fully let within five months of completion is a real testament to both its quality and its location. We are meeting the needs of the smaller businesses who need a quality working environment in a property under 10,000 sq ft. As the largest developer of this stock in Yorkshire we are leading the way in quality, cost and location.
“We are extremely proud of the magnificent success of Balme Business Park, which is down to the fantastic team we have. Without the top-quality consultants and team members involved in these projects, we would not be able to do what we do. We only work with the best and the benefit of this is seen in our results.
“I would like to highlight the vitally important roles played by the following: Simon Mydlowski of Clarion, the best property solicitor in Yorkshire; Rachel Slater and Matt Hall of KPP, the top architects; Peter Dixon of Dudleys Consulting Engineers; the team at Percy Pickard Contractors; Jonathan O’Connor of Ryden; Max Vause at Carter Towler; Rob Oliver at Avison Young; and Michael Alton of Eddisons who manages the estate, together with our sub-contractors including Jacamast Structures and Couldwell Concrete floors. “
Frank Marshall Estates bought the four-acre site, on the outskirts of Wakefield by Junction 40 of the M1, from Flanshaw Property Ltd for £1.3 million in 2020.
The first phase of the Flanshaw Way development featured 17 units, including seven hybrid Nano units and 10 light industrial and warehouse units ranging up to 9,500 sq ft, and was fully let within a year.
Jimmy Marshall, co-director of Frank Marshall Estates with his brother Edward, explained: “When we bought this land, we promised to create the best business park that Wakefield has ever had. We have now delivered on that promise, despite the lingering challenges posed by the global pandemic and the uncertainty surrounding Yorkshire’s commercial property market.
“It is clear that there is a massive pent-up demand in West Yorkshire for high-quality buildings of 10,000 sq ft and under in great locations. We are pleased to be the leading developer in the region for this specific market.
“We favour quality local businesses as tenants, as we enjoy dealing with people who love their business as much as we love ours. Our great relationships with all the occupiers of Flanshaw Way proves this point.”
Max Vause of Leeds-based property consultants Carter Towler, who are advising Frank Marshall Estates, commented: “The brand-new Balme Business Park is a magnificent success story.
“As always it has been a pleasure working with Frank Marshall Estates to bring this outstanding development to market. The fact that it is now fully let brilliantly demonstrates the quality of the park.
“It’s been tremendous to work with a developer as passionate and professional as Edward Marshall and I’m very proud of what we have achieved together. It has also been great to work with Edward’s solicitor Simon Mydlowski of Clarion.”
