Longbridge
Technology Park
The first phase of the re-development of the Longbridge site has
been operational for a few months now.
But was Officially Opened
on the 10th Dec 2008
It
all started in July 2005 when the Midland Bank on the Bristol Road
was demolished. The Austin Motor Company bankers were the Midland
Bank. In the early years and the company used to go into Birmingham
to the Main Branch to pick up the wages. Then because security
became a concern a branch office was built on the North Car Park
facing the Bristol Road. This meant that it was only a short
journey to the wages department in the General Office Block on the
Lickey Road. The only other building on the car park was the
Apprentice Club House (Hut). Most workers could not afford the cars
they were producing, so would travel to work by public transport,
cycle or walk.
One
landmark as you approached the works from Northfield was a Chevron
Sign which changed many times over the years.
Sign
1951
Demolition work starts
on the Midland Bank (HSBC)
Clearing the site
starts in July 2005
The
first steel work is erected
The
steel work at night
Steel work
finished
Aerial
view in February 2007
June 2007
New building against the old landscape
Corner of Bristol Road and Longbridge Lane
Reception
Desk
So
North Car Park is now the Technology Park which is accessed from
Longbridge Lane via a new road called Devon Way. The building on
the corner is The Innovation Centre, which offers flexible serviced
busincess space. the three storey building of 45,00 sq ft offers
high quality office building specifically designed to provide an
environment to assist and accommodate the development of young and
new technology based businesses. It is linked to the University of
Birmingham which is only a few miles away. The innovation Centre is
able to tap into the research been done at the University, by
giving academics who are working on new projects a place were they
can have a base from which to work.
So
what does the brochure say:
The
building specification includes the following
Comfort cooling, this is a system that cools the offices without
getting draughts.
Raised floors, so all telephone and computer cabling is out of
sight.
Two passenger lifts.
Male, female and disable toilets on each floor
Kitchen facilities
Shower facilities.
The office accommodation is sub-divided into suites of various
sizes to allow choice and flexibility to all potential occupiers
from new start-up companies to established corporate technology
based occupiers.
There are 23 Suites on the Ground Floor which range from 194 sq ft
to 576 sq ft. Also on the ground Floor is the main Reception area
along with Meeting and Conference Rooms which can be hired by the
hour, having all the necessary Audio Visual equipment to use along
with Broadband connection. There are two Kitchens and one Shower
room.
On the First Floor the suites range from 205 sq ft to 872 sq ft.
There are two Kitchens and one Shower room available.
This new building offers young companies to, as the saying goes to
put their toe in the water and have a go, as the tenure for a suite
is on flexible short term leases.
At the end of this year 40% of the units have been taken, with
about 100 people employed.
The other building in the aerial view is for let to a single
employer, and it is hoped to let this building around March-April
2008. It is called Building Two Devon Way
There
is now development going on the Cofton Centre
The following are Press releases from St Modwen the
Developer.
Some of the Regeneration of the site will be done with Government
money channelled through Advantage West Midlands
ST MODWEN SEEKS TO CREATE MORE JOB OPPORTUNITIES AT
LONGBRIDGE
24 April 2007
PRG Europe, the UK’s 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, and will move in December.
The redevelopment of the whole of The Cofton Centre site could eventually create more than 1,200 jobs.
| St Modwen Developments Ltd is seeking planning consent to develop a range of industrial units on the former car storage |
Prospect of hundreds of jobs as Longbridge Industrial Scheme begins
23 October 2007
| 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 2008. 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. When the whole of the Cofton Centre is completed we anticipate it will provide more than 1,200 jobs. |
15 November 2007
Builders¹ merchant E H Smith has invested in the regeneration of Longbridge through the acquisition from St Modwen Properties, the UK¹s leading regeneration specialist, of the former MG Sports and Racing Building at the Cofton Centre, Longbridge.
The 20,715 sq ft premises enables the Birmingham-based family firm - the UK¹s third largest independent builders¹ merchant - to expand and take on up to 20 new staff. The new EH Smith branch in Longbridge - the company¹s 11th operating location - is set to open Spring 2008 to supply a wide range of building materials and services to the surrounding area.
John Parker, managing director for E H Smith, which was established 85 years ago and now employs more than 600 people, said: EH Smith is delighted to be setting down roots in Longbridge and looks forward to becoming part of the community. The company fully embraces the growth and regeneration of the Longbridge area, wishing to play a part in the investment of this up-and-coming part of Birmingham.²
Phil Yates, the company¹s regional director, commented: ³This is an exciting time for EH Smith, further investing in the city that has been its home for so long. With the ongoing rejuvenation of the area, the community of Longbridge has a terrific future with many opportunities.²
Jonathan Green, development surveyor, St Modwen, said: ³We are delighted with this sale which further endorses the growing appeal of Longbridge to companies wishing to relocate and expand.
This phase of development will create the potential for an additional 300 jobs and it is anticipated that the Cofton Centre, when complete, will provide more than 1,200 jobs.