Commercial Portfolio

Case Study

Venus Park Expansion

Planning permission has been obtained for three new state of the art units on Venus Park ranging in size from 16,655 to 30,000 sq ft park will soon be available on the ever-popular Tyne Tunnel Trading Estate.

Venus Park is already home to a range of high-profile key businesses and there is a high level of demand for units of this kind. These additional units will benefit from a prominent position with frontage on the A19 and excellent transport links which have been further enhanced by the recent A19/A1058 junction improvements. Those advantages, teamed with the £8 million development will strengthen the park’s position for businesses seeking a new address in the North East, and offer commercial entities the opportunity to relocate or expand their operations.

The units will provide detached high specification accommodation and include dedicated, secure service yards and generous parking provision with electric vehicle charging points. 

The building programme will start in early 2024 and be completed later the same year. A further phase of 80,000 sq ft will be delivered thereafter.

Case Study

Development in Alnwick

Northumberland Estates maintains a substantial property portfolio in Alnwick. Developments such as Willowburn and Cawledge Business Park have attracted a mix of national retailers to the town, complementing the small independent traders in the town centre and increasing footfall.

Commercial development projects in Alnwick include:

• Cawledge Business Park – 60,000 sq ft scheme including a 12 unit office park, 53 bed hotel, petrol filling station and McDonalds restaurant.

• Willowburn Retail – a major retail development with occupiers including Sainsbury’s, Homebase, M&S, Starbuck, Alnwick butchers Turnbull's and Pets at Home

• Hotspur Court – 17 unit, 42,000 sq ft industrial estate

• Former Willis Garage site – A two-unit scheme let to Aldi and Frank's the Flooring Store

Case Study

South Alnwick Trade Park

Construction of a 36,000 sq. ft development is now complete at South Alnwick Trade Park comprising five new, purpose-built premises.

The new industrial and trade park developed by Northumberland Estates will bring many benefits to Alnwick and its surrounding area, including growth in employment and economic development.

Hardy's of Alnwick, an established local business, has relocated to the park so it can remain in the town where it was founded and continue serving its loyal customers.

This development reflects the desire of businesses to be in Alnwick, and this extra space meets some of that demand.

South Alnwick Trade Park is located at the new entrance to Lionheart Enterprise Park South, at the junction with Shilbottle Road. The new units are less than 0.5 miles from the A1 and 1.5 miles from Alnwick Town Centre. Nearby occupiers include Howdens, Wolseley and MKM.

Case Study

Improvements and Investment at Caxton Court

When Northumberland Estates purchased the Caxton Court industrial Estate in Watford in 2014 it was with a view to unlocking additional value at the site, identified by the in-house commercial property and planning teams.

A popular commercial industrial estate of around 65,000 sq ft, all of the seven units at Caxton Court were occupied at purchase. What Northumberland Estates had in mind was to create the space to add additional units, by reconfiguring the surrounding area.

Research had demonstrated a need locally for smaller units and a wider size range. With this in mind discussions began with the four tenants in occupation. A scheme was devised which left the existing units unchanged in terms of space, but offered the tenants improvements to the site including extensive landscaping while, at the same time, creating enough space to develop four smaller but high spec units on site.

This project is now underway and terms agreed for an existing occupier on site to take all of the newly created space, thus ensuring their long term commitment to this part of Watford.

Case Study

Supporting Small Business Growth

Northumberland Estates understands the challenges faced by small businesses seeking to expand.

Challenging Learning, a company that is focused on using up-to-date research and translating it into best practice for teaching and learning began its journey at the Alnwick Enterprise Hub. As the company grew, it needed larger premises and approached the Estate.

The Northumberland Estates team was able to offer a deal that suited all parties. Three suites were taken by Challenging Learning in the neighbouring building on the Cawledge Business Park owned by the Estate on the outskirts of Alnwick. In addition to providing the company with the space it needed, the company also had the opportunity to invest by signing a long-term purchase agreement.