WORCESTER'S economic future has been given the thumbs-up by developer St. Modwen, which is pushing ahead with more speculative development at Great Western Business Park in Tolladine Road.

The UK’s leading regeneration specialist has lodged plans with Worcester City Council to build a further 60,000 sq ft of new employment space having already completed 25,000 sq ft of speculative warehouse and light industrial units earlier this year.

Builders merchant Travis Perkins has agreed to acquire a 13,600 sq ft facility at the business park, which is just off Tolladine Way, less than a mile from Worcester city centre and close to the M5.

The next phase of development – St. Modwen’s third and final at Great Western Business Park – will consist of eleven speculative units, ranging from 3,500 to 32,000 sq ft, and responds to ongoing demand from businesses seeking new warehouse and light industrial space in the Worcester area.

Jonathan Green, development surveyor at St. Modwen, said: “The first phase of development has been fully occupied since 2012. The second phase includes a new fire station for Hereford & Worcester Fire Authority and 25,000 sq ft of speculatively-built employment space. With this third phase, St. Modwen continues to meet the rise in demand for high quality industrial space in the Midlands region. We are committed to Worcester’s vibrant market, and this third phase of development at Great Western Business Park will provide further high quality units for businesses looking for space in the city.”

Also in Worcester, St. Modwen owns and manages the 275,000 sq ft Shrub Hill Industrial Estate, which has more than 90 occupiers, and Nunnery Way, a 19 acre site on which it is developing employment, showroom and leisure space.