Barberry sure of success with manufacturing hub
ANEW manufacturing and design facility will be built in Birmingham after developer Barberry was chosen to deliver the project.
The group has won the brief from the Birmingham City Council and Homes England to construct the 57,000 sq ft unit at the Advanced Manufacturing Hub in Aston. Stourbridge-based Barberry was selected after a competitive bidding process and a planning application has now been lodged with the council.
Construction could start on site before the end of the year, subject to planning consent, with practical completion expected in autumn 2021.
The speculative development, which will be called Barberry 57, is expected to attract investment to the region and could create up to 250 jobs. Last year, Barberry developed a 65,000 sq ft unit at the AMH for IT communications company Mayflex which agreed a ten-year lease on the unit.
Barberry’s industrial development director Jon Robinson said: “We are very excited to announce that we have been selected as preferred purchaser and development partner to deliver Barberry 57.
“This represents another excellent piece of business between Barberry, Birmingham City Council and Homes England. The new development will provide the occupier with a state-of-the-art facility with easy access to the M6 and Birmingham city centre. It is also expected to attract further investment to the region, generate further economic growth and new jobs for the region. “We have worked hard and invested heavily to create a Barberry brand in the mid-box industrial/logistics market, providing high-quality buildings for occupiers, built to an institutional acceptable specification. It is therefore hugely satisfying to know that the quality of our developments is recognised.”
Birmingham City Council leader Cllr Ian Ward added: “This is a huge vote of confidence in Birmingham’s economic recovery and means jobs and investment at a time when they are sorely needed.
“The Advanced Manufacturing Hub continues to be a real success story, with major occupiers such as Hydraforce, Guhring, Mayflex, Y International and Salts Healthcare, creating over 1,500 jobs.
“Now, with this investment from Barberry, we can build on that success, creating the jobs and opportunities needed in Birmingham.”