BOOTLE’S newly-constructed Vesty Business Park has already seen deals completed for around 40,000 sq ft of space, despite the economic downturn.

Priority Sites’ £14m development, comprising 159,000 sq ft of commercial space and featuring wind turbines, was completed two months ago and four industrial units have now been sold and one unit let.

The former Vestey factory site, in Bridle Road, in Bootle, was completed in June and will become home to a variety of occupiers including Ultracell Batteries (UK), whose move followed a positive recommendation about the space at Vesty by fellow occupier Parr Electrical.

Murray Carr, Area Development Manager for Priority Sites, said: “As a speculative developer, we are mindful of these testing economic times and, while we are optimistic that the quality and affordability of our product will continue to attract occupiers, we had prepared ourselves for a general slowdown in market demand.

“However, interest in Vesty Business Park has been incredibly high.”

The Vesty scheme comprises 17 industrial units and four hybrid units, ranging from 3,000 to 28,000 sq ft.

The development incorporates 46 roof-mounted wind turbines along with a 26m freestanding turbine, which together provide at least 10% of the development’s energy supply.

Neil Kirkham, of Hitchcock, Wright and Partners, the joint agents on the scheme, added: “It seems occupiers have been attracted to the environmentally responsible nature of the new premises.”

tonymcdonough