Eagle still bucking trend on growth

ACCREDITATION: Victoria Stevenson, head of the personal injury team at Roythornes. THE Eagle Business Park project continues to defy the odds and deliver growth at its site on the edge of Yaxley, near Peterborough.

Whatever the economic difficulty, be it the financial crisis of 2008/9, the pre-general Election jitters in the spring of 2010 as well as the continuing challenging times, Rob Facer and his team at developer R&H Estates have maintained momentum in what is an unqualified success.

Not only do the statistics support this view, but also the congratulations of Yaxley Parish Council.

The council recently wrote to Rob to express its appreciation that the “development has been constructed with full consideration being given to the village aesthetics,” adding that it wasn’t often that the parish council congratulated developers.

Almost four years ago and in the heart of recessionary times, the site was 22 acres of land earmarked for development, whereas today there are only five acres left, of which 1.5 acres are under detailed discussions.

A current development is the signature, used car showroom of Junction 17 at the front of Eagle Business Park.

Graham Jones and son-in-law Colin Bacon, who specialise in trading premier brands, such as Porsche, BMW and MercedesBenz, have expanded their operation to move to the Yaxley site and are due to open for business on June 1, 2012.

It has involved the “tightest build schedule” of four months. But this is synonymous with the philosophy of flexibility that Rob has inculcated into developing the site – flexibility of land purchase and build, flexibility of finance.

He has been able to provide land at “value for money” not available in the confines of Peterborough city itself. This has paid dividends in attracting businesses from within and outside the area.

SMS (Stanground Motors Services), the first occupant at Eagle, has, like fellow occupant Earls Scaffolding Ltd, since expanded its site.

All but one of the 10 detached and terraced units at the speculative build Talon Court are now let or sold.

Among current focus is Enterprise Court at the front of the site, where five of the nine start-up units are accounted for. Rob’s team has instilled a “cleaner, trade counter-type” philosophy to these units which MOTORING AHEAD: Developer Rob Facer, of R&H Estates, right, with Graham Jones and Colin Bacon of used car business Junction 17 in front of the new building at Eagle Business Park. has helped it to attract the likes of businesses such as family firm MCS Interiors and gym Fit England.

“It is a team effort that has been key to success, and using the same contractors wherever possible,” added Rob.

That attitude, in tandem with the availability of serviced plots, is continuing to attract interest from businesses including German packaging and moulding firm Illig, which is in the process of relocating to the Yaxley site.

More details on the remaining plots, units and opportunities can be obtained from Richard Jones, of Barker Storey Matthews on 01733 897722.