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Industrial development to bring 100 new jobs

Written by Ben Fountain

Wednesday, 30 April 2008

A new industrial development which is set to bring in fresh investment and up to 100 new job opportunities to North East Essex has been launched by local property developer, Mantle Estates.

Backed by a £4 million investment and providing 19 units which offer between 1,400 sq ft and 10,500 sq ft of space, the new Brunel Business Centre is Clacton’s first major industrial development in 10 years.

The Centre is already attracting potential buyers. Ewan Dodds of Whybrow Chartered Surveyors – Brunel’s joint agent together with Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) – said that negotiations with a number of potential tenants from a range of sectors were currently underway, attracted by what he believes is the first quality industrial offering in the town.

“We have a lot of interest at the moment from professionals and industrialists amongst others,” said Dodds. “It’s quite a spread and mainly from a local audience, though there is also interest from some national organisations with a local presence.

“Until now, commercial property in Clacton has been very poor quality, second hand stock. This is mainly because of a limited amount of available land, though it should be better for a population of 50,000.”

At the official opening of the site, councillor Balbirnie, chairman of Tendring District Council also highlighted the fact that grants are available for up to 15 per cent of the purchase price – making the units viable investment opportunities.

Stuart Mowle, director at LSH, added: “This is quite a step up in quality for Clacton and there’s interest from a real mix of companies who are either from Clacton or wanting to move in from Colchester.”

The developers have said they are confident that the high specification development will encourage new investment into the area, leading to new industries and job creation – both areas identified as requiring improvement in Clacton.

Mantle, which provided the financing for the Centre, said that when full, the 19 unit scheme has the potential to create over 100 new jobs to the region, a significant step towards the target of 6,100 new jobs for the region by 2021, as set out in the Tendring Regeneration Statement.

“This is the first real opportunity for businesses in and around Clacton to rent or purchase brand new industrial units for nearly 10 years,” said Guy Baker, director at Mantle Estates. “It’s a clear sign that the region is on the up. We are very proud of Brunel Business Centre, and of the investment we have made in Clacton.”
The new development was officially launched by Councillor Balbirnie, chairman of Tendring District Council.
Based close to Stansted Airport, Mantle is a regionally focused commercial and residential developer and investor operating within the East of England, stretching into the eastern half of London and the Thames Gateway.

• Suffolk’s ISG Jackson has secured its first project under an influential £400m framework partnership with affordable homes provider, Swan Housing Group, to build new facilities across Essex and East London over the next four years.

The contractor is due to commence work on a circa £3m scheme at Clacton-on-Sea, which sees the construction of 36, two bedroom flats on a brownfield site close to the centre of the town.
CAP:Councillor Balbirnie, chairman of Tendring District Council.