Prospect of hundreds of jobs as Longbridge Industrial Scheme begins

St Modwen Developments is seeking to create up to 300 jobs by the development of nearly 75,000 sq ft of manufacturing and distribution buildings in the £5.5 million first phase of The Cofton Centre, Longbridge, construction of which is now underway.

Planning consent has been granted for a total of 285,000 sq ft of new industrial development on MG Rover¹s former car storage site off Groveley Lane , part of the 340-acre car plant which St Modwen is redeveloping.

The first two speculatively built units of 47,502 sq ft and 27,072 sq ft are scheduled to be completed late Spring next year.

Mike Murray, of St Modwen, reported: ³We are receiving strong interest in the scheme and are talking to a number of occupiers who see Longbridge as being ideal for their business.

³When the whole of the Cofton Centre is completed we anticipate it will provide more than 1,200 jobs.

PRG Europe, the UK¹s leading supplier of lighting and projection solutions to the entertainment and events industries, is currently fitting out the 157,000 sq ft former MG Rover parts distribution warehouse, adjoining the proposed development site, which it acquired from St Modwen late last year.

David Willmer of GVA Grimley, letting agent for the scheme, said: ³There has been very little speculative high quality industrial development on the south west side of Birmingham for a number of years, compared with the east side of the city centre, so Cofton Centre should attract a great deal of interest from regional companies looking to upgrade into good accommodation.”

For further information contact Mike Murray of St Modwen (0121 222 9400).

Issued by Paul Raymer of Howle Chapman Raymer (0121 313 1000)