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Firm transforms historic Derby site by building units that were in short supply

Firm transforms historic Derby site by building units that were in short supply

The transformation of a historic site in Derby to a modern industrial park has been completed by city firm Ivygrove Developments.

The remaining three of the 26 buildings at Sawley Park, off Nottingham Road, have now been sold in a process that started five years ago.

Ivygrove bought the site in May, 2010 from Rolls-Royce, which formerly owned Sawley Packaging. Buildings, dating back to the late 19th century, took up more than 100,000 sq ft. They started life as a lace mill for William Fletcher and later produced elastic webbing and then boots.

They were dominated by a 70,000 sq ft warehouse with a north light roof. But they had been empty for two years, vandalised and beyond saving.

The first transaction involved M. Murfin and Sons coal and smokeless fuel merchants who relocated from further up Nottingham Road, where a new Lidl supermarket was built on the land.

This was followed by various companies, many re-locating within the city, to occupy the buildings with their modern, distinctive silver and blue cladding.

Two of the last three units have been filled by industrial firms – Whitehouse Construction, who manufacture sealed door units, and JMM Building Supplies who provide solar energy panels.

The third has been sold to Derby businessman and electronics enthusiast Steve Haseldine who plans to set up a radio communications museum, which he hopes to open next summer. This would involve visits by school parties to encourage youngsters to consider careers in engineering and science.

“I am delighted that this development has proved successful during the worst economic period ever experienced,”said John Blount, chairman of Ivygrove, which is based at Racecourse Industrial Park, Mansfield Road.

He added that many of the companies had purchased freehold buildings for the first time, adding strength to their balance sheets as well as providing modern facilities in a prestigious location close to the city centre and the A52.

Chris Keogh, associate at Salloway Property Consultants in Derby, said:

”The success of Sawley Park is just reward for Ivygrove’s decision to construct speculative units during the economic downturn."

“Interest in the site from prospective purchasers has generally been consistent throughout and this is quite simply down to the fact that Ivygrove has built good quality units, of sizes ranging from 1,000 to 5,000sq.ft, of which there is considerable under supply in Derby.”


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