A North-East company charged with reinvigorating a county’s business community and economy has launched a survey to determine the region’s future commercial property needs.
Wholly-owned by Northumberland County Council, with a mixed public-private board, Arch: The Northumberland Development Company wants to hear from both start-ups and established businesses about their property plans and how availability could affect potential growth.
“It is apparent that certain sizes and types of premises are in short supply and restricting the opportunity for businesses to grow,” explained Peter McIntyre, Arch’s group managing director.
“As a development company and investment vehicle we are aiming to address and improve upon this situation and will be in a better position to achieve that with the business community’s co-operation and support,” he added.
Inviting companies to complete the on-line questionnaire, McIntyre stressed that all responses will be treated in confidence and no detailed information will be released. “Arch will use the data to both inform its own investment plans so that we can either build, or persuade others to build, suitable premises to meet future needs for Northumberland and its economy,” he said.
Established as an arms-length company to prime development and business growth within Northumberland, Arch is an asset-based business with an impressive portfolio of commercial and residential property. All its profits are reinvested in projects to support and drive regeneration, economic development, digital choice and inward investment.
The organisation’s current portfolio includes a range of commercial and industrial property, and high-quality office suites and incubator facilities. Arch currently owns and manages 295,463sq ft across 151 industrial units, 1,668sq ft of retail space, 73 acres of income producing land and 12,500sq ft of offices. It also owns around 200 acres of latent employment land.
McIntyre went on to say that as a development company Arch was well placed to support the county’s business infrastructure further by building projects as required.
“If there is a need for space and we don’t have a suitable offer, we will work with businesses and address the need within the county,” he said. “Arch understands the diverse needs for business and helps to remove any barriers for companies looking to expand or relocate into Northumberland.”
In line with that policy Arch this week received planning permission to build Blyth Workspace, a serviced office complex on the town’s Commissioners Quay. Its latest development is aimed at reviving and upgrading the area’s reputation “as a centre of excellence in renewable energy and research”.
Blyth Workspace will consist of 21,000sq ft of high quality new office space to be let on a flexible basis. The hub will also offer informal meeting and social areas and conference facilities, and be surrounded distinctive landscaping.
For survey details businesses can contact Anita Nicholson at: anita.nicholson@arch-group.co.uk. The deadline for responses is Friday, August 29.
