Manchester-based Capital & Centric (C&C) is about to add a speculative £3m warehouse and small business hub to its list of on going Merseyside projects.
Work started last month [January] on the 40,000 sq ft scheme at Estuary Commerce Park in Speke. Designed specifically for small to medium-sized enterprises the office and warehouse accommodation will include laboratory, research and development space.
The four-acre south Liverpool site was purchased from the Homes and Communities Agency at the end of last year. C&C has appointed construction firm Seddon to build the development — which includes the creation of a new access road and landscaping — after receiving a £1.42m loan from the European Regional Development Fund.
“It is fantastic to be onsite with another speculative scheme for the region, our fourth live construction site,” explained Capital & Centric director, Adam Higgins. “For this project we have focused on energy efficiency, interesting design and high quality construction.
“We are confident we will attract some exciting, fast-growing businesses to the development that will fit right in with the surrounding organisations.”
His company has already completed similar developments in Speke in recent years and is currently working on two other Liverpool schemes. It is redeveloping the former Littlewoods Pools building, off Edge Lane, into 150,000 sq ft of hotel, office and business units and spending £6m on a Tithbarn Street office project in Liverpool city centre.
Commenting on C&C’s latest project, Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson said: “Estuary Commerce Park has long been established as a great employment generator for South Liverpool and Capital & Centric’s involvement in this site has provided fantastic opportunities over the last five years.
“Its success there has been enhanced by the company’s willingness to develop speculatively so that potential occupiers can see and feel the space before making a decision. It’s great to see the next phase underway.”
