Future is bright at business park

16/11/2011

Tenants at the Tokenspire Business Park have welcomed plans for a major refurbishment programme due to begin early in the new year.

And Hull-based agents Garness Jones say the improvements - which will include better security and easier access - will help them promote the site to new tenants.

Garness Jones were re-appointed to act as letting agents at the site earlier this year after it was acquired by LaSalle Investment Management.

“Tokenspire is a high quality business park that has proved very popular with the tenants over the years,” said Dale Gooderham, Associate Director at Garness Jones for industrial projects.

“On acquiring the site the new owners told of their commitment to make improvements. The plans have been welcomed by the tenants and as the work progresses we expect more businesses to recognise the quality that Tokenspire has to offer.”

Janet Beckett, the Site Facilities Manager for management company Jones Lang LaSalle, described the planned improvements as “extensive and eye-catching.”

“One of the main changes people will see is the removal of the gatehouse, which is often seen by people as a bit of an obstruction,” said Janet.

“There will also be a completely new CCTV system to help improve security and we plan to improve the roads and the street lighting.

The 322,000 sq ft comprises 51 units and is home to a variety of traders, including furniture, fashion, removals and light industrial businesses.

Qdos Entertainment, one of the UK’s largest theatrical businesses, moved onto the site nine years ago after being unable to find additional premises closer to their Scarborough headquarters.

“We were due to move into premises in Scarborough but that fell through so we came here,” said Rory King, the company’s head of logistics and health and safety.

“We are the largest producer of pantomimes in the world so we needed a lot of space for warehousing and for large vehicles and we’ve got that here. We’re also not far from the motorway network and we’ve got good access to the ports, which is important for our international work.

“We’ve improved our own building while we’ve been here and we’re looking forward to the improvements to the site infrastructure.”

Kitchens manufacturer Roses of Beverley moved onto Tokenspire 15 years ago and has since expanded on and off the site.

“One of our more recent additions is the Cabinet Buyer online service but people like to see what they are buying to it’s important that we are able to show them,” said managing director Ken Rose.

“Tokenspire is well known, which helps people find us, we’ve got plenty of room for our displays and workshops, parking is very easy and access will be even better with the removal of the gatehouse.”

Beds On Legs moved its showroom from Hull to Tokenspire two years ago to occupy the same building as the warehouse.

“We needed more office space and more storage area so we moved everything here and it’s gone really well,” said Geraldine Ward, the manager of the business.

“Most of our sales are online but the showroom is important and our location here is very visible from the road. Security is good and will be better after the refurbishment.”

Sargent Electrical Services, which has grown from two people to about 100 since its foundation in 1991, moved to Tokenspire in 1996. The company works in the leisure industry, supplying caravans and motor homes, and in construction.

“We’ve got the space we need here for deliveries in and out and the security is good,” said Ian Sargent, who runs the business with his brother Neil.

“It’s good location, better than being in a town or city, and easy for our people to commute from Hull and Beverley.”

Tony Sturdy of Beverley Pine said the Tokenspire location has been a big factor in the success of the business since moving in 15 years ago.

“It’s in a great place, just outside Beverley but not far from Hull and close to a lot of villages. There are a lot of chimney pots round here and that’s good for a business like ours.