SEVEN light industrial properties are being built in east Hull as part of a programme to regenerate the area. The buildings in Old Hedon Road are going up on the site of a former cluster of shops and a petrol station.

It was empty for years but two new firms have arrived in the past 12 months.

Now, the plot is to be bolstered with seven units totalling almost 16,000sq ft.

David Piercy, managing director of architect Piercy Design, said: "The site is slap-bang in the middle of an employment area.

"As a commercial site, its visibility is really good but it just hasn't worked."

The aim is to attract either regional or national supply chain firms, or sellers with products for tradespeople.

The new buildings by Mount Pleasant North Roundabout are close to Alexandra Dock, where German energy giant Siemens is creating part of its £310m offshore wind turbine facility.

Landlord Nagra Properties believes the time is ripe for new businesses to set up.

Mr Piercy said: "Nagra Properties has seen an opportunity, had a look at it and managed to turn the site around.

"This scheme actually is the final piece in the regeneration of what is quite a big site on the edge of the city centre.

"It could be for light industrial units or a trade counter."

The architect has designed something he believes will stand out compared with similar buildings nearby.

Planning permission was granted in May and building work is soon to begin in earnest.

Mr Piercy said: "The quality of the build is probably more upmarket than a number of the buildings in the surrounding area. They're keeping pace with the modern world and they need to if they're to let to blue chip or national companies.

"The design of them is to a very high quality in terms of the glassed elements and lighting."

Nagra is being represented by agent Scotts Property.

Partner Matthew Tomlinson said: "There's an appetite for small, industrial, high-quality space and a lack of it coming out of the ground at the moment.

"It's a strategic location in that they front Old Hedon Road and they're visible from the new Hedon Road flyover. We're looking for established local concerns or regional or national firms."

The site is already occupied by Howdens Joinery and flooring firm Yorkshire Supplies.

Howdens, a national business selling doors and kitchens, set up in July last year.

Yorkshire supplies moved in more recently and Scotts now hopes the new buildings will have tenants in as soon as they are finished.

Taken from: Hull Daily Mail

Posted: June 11, 2014

By James Burton