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A long-term regeneration project that has turned a former sewage treatment works at Aldershot, Hants into a sought after £25m location for warehousing and distribution, is nearing completion.
Wilky Property Holdings PLC has sold the last plot at Blackwater Park to Vale Furnishers Ltd, who have planning consent for a 34,000 sq ft distribution centre creating up to 25 jobs.
It will bring the number of units built on the 13 acre site over the past 9 years to six. Current occupiers include UK Assistance Accident Repair Centre, David Cover and Son Ltd, Linde Cyroplants Ltd, and Aldershot College.
Vale – a third-generation family business began trading in 1960 from a 700 sq ft village store in Ash Vale, near Aldershot. It has been voted national furniture retailer of the year twice and now operates a 32,000 sq ft showroom in the village. Chairman Alan Chandler said the new distribution centre would make the business more efficient with higher stock levels leading to shorter delivery lead times.
Wilky developed Blackwater Park in joint venture with Kennet Properties Ltd, a Thames Water subsidiary. Malcolm Young, Wilky chief executive, said: “This development has transformed an ugly area of surplus land into an attractive business location with dual carriage links to the national motorway network via the adjacent A331.”
Jon Hollis of retained agents Hollis Hockley said the total developed space was more than 200,000 sq ft. “I would estimate the completed development will have a total investment value in the region of £25m and it has been a highly successful exercise in regeneration.”
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PICTURE CAPTION
Blackwater Park with Vale Furnishers' site shown in blue and, inset, the site before Wilky's redevelopment.
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