WEST COUNTRY FEEDS EXPANDS AND MOVES TO LANGFORD MEAD, TAUNTON

Taunton-based business, West Country Feeds, opened its new premises at Langford Mead Business Park this week. The local company has relocated to accommodate its expanding business and purchased an 11,000 sq ft unit for £95 per sq ft from St. Modwen, the UK’s leading regeneration specialist.

The supplier of animal feeds and accessories has taken the new unit within the 200,000 sq ft Business Park, which is part of St. Modwen’s £100 million redevelopment of a 65-acre former industrial estate and MoD site in Taunton.

Formerly based on Taunton Industrial Estate, West Country Feeds has been trading in the area for 23 years. A new joint venture with Countrywide Farmers plc has meant that the company has expanded its range to include fencing and gardening materials and country clothing as well as its original offer of equine and pet foods. The business growth allowed the company to upgrade from its 7,500 sq ft premises to the purpose built 11,000 sq ft building on the Langford Mead Business Park.

Ian Guy, senior development manager, St. Modwen says: “Due to the site’s popular location alongside mainline transport routes, there has been strong commercial interest from a broad range of potential new occupiers. Of the 200,000 sq ft Business Park, over 135,000 sq ft has already been pre-sold/pre leased.

“The fact that West Country Feeds has chosen Langford Mead is a testament to the site’s location and the quality of distribution and office space we are building here. It is a positive sign that there are areas across the UK which continue to do well despite the current economic climate and that the new development is meeting those commercial needs.”

Jeremy Philips, director, West Country Feeds says:

“We’re delighted to announce the expansion of our business against a backdrop of a challenging economic climate. We have been trading in this area for over 20 years and have established a strong customer base so the opportunity to move into a bigger, purpose built premises was too good to miss. This is a very exciting opportunity for us to offer a wider range of products to our customers in a better environment and we hope to be at Langford Mead for the long term.”

Langford Mead Business Park offers commercial freehold and leasehold space ranging from 5000 sq ft to 100,000 sq ft. In addition to the industrial and distribution space, Langford Mead will also include 550 residential dwellings, 20% of which have been earmarked as affordable homes to boost the local residential market. In 2007 St. Modwen entered into a joint venture to redevelop the site with AXA Sun Life plc. In addition to the first phase of commercial development, work is also progressing well with the construction of the new road.