Work Begins on Latest Markham Vale Development
Work to build the largest premises to date at a Chesterfield regeneration site has now started, paving the way to create 400 new jobs.
Chester-based firm Great Bear Distribution is set to move into its new office and distribution centre at Markham Vale which is located off junction 29A of the M1 motorway in July next year.
Established in 1994, the firm operates in 30 locations nationwide providing warehousing and distribution for clients such as PZ Cussons, BMW, and Unilever.
Glenn Lindfield, Chief Executive of Great Bear Distribution said:
“Markham Vale was a firm choice for our company in terms of location and the potential we saw in the site.
“We’ll be bringing many jobs to Markham and we look forward to working with the local community.
“Location was a big factor when we decided to expand. We operate in 30 locations nationwide so with the site being just off the M1 motorway, it was the perfect location for us and this is a great step forward for our company.”
The premises will be built by Derbyshire County Council’s private sector property partner, Henry Boot Developments.
Derbyshire County Council’s Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategic Policy, Economic Development and Budget, Councillor Anne Western said:
“Great Bear is the site’s biggest deal to date bringing the largest number of jobs in a single development. Creating more jobs at Markham is one of the council’s key priorities.
“It’s been a good year for the site so far − we’ve welcomed inspirepac, AW Repair Group, Meter Provida, Gould Alloys and we’ve got more deals in the pipeline.”
Existing occupiers at Markham Vale include, inspirepac, Gould Alloys, AW Repair Group, MSE Hiller, Squadron Medical, Industrial Ancillaries, Andrew Page, Holdsworth Foods and Ready Egg Products.
Ben Ward, Director at Henry Boot Developments, said:
“We are pleased that work has now kicked off for this 480,000 sq.ft unit at the Markham Vale East site, and we are expecting the completion of the unit for summer 2016. Following the deal with Great Bear, we have had 686,250 sq.ft of space agreed in the past 12 months, which is excellent and represents massive confidence in the development.
“We now have development plots on the Markham Vale North site available, alongside the last few remaining plots on the East and West sites.”
The regeneration site is one of the UK’s biggest Enterprise Zone Developments. The final phase of which is a further 100 acres currently being prepared for development using a £14.2m Government grant awarded through the Sheffield City Region’s Enterprise Zone.
