Optimus Point seals major development deal as work starts on site

Optimus Point, Wilson Bowden's new 65 acre employment site has seen its first major development deal secured.

Funded by M&G, the construction of two large industrial and warehouse units with a combined floor space of 481,000sqft marks one of the first examples of the return of speculative development in the UK.

Optimus Point's prime location presents an important new opportunity to meet the growing needs of employers and investors in the area. Located at Junction 21a of the M1, it is rapidly becoming one of Leicester's key strategic employment sites which could see up to 2,300 jobs created over the next ten years.

The development was kick-started by a £4.5m Growing Places Fund (GPF) loan from the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP), which contributed to the surrounding access and infrastructure works.

Nick Richardson, Managing Director at Wilson Bowden Developments said:

"Optimus Point is the first significant new employment site for many years in this part of the Midlands. Since the access works commenced earlier in the year, interest in the site has been phenomenal.

"The M&G deal to deliver 481,000sq ft confirms the quality of the location and it is great to see a return to speculative development in the Midlands. There is no doubt that this demonstrates that the market is beginning to improve.

"We are very grateful to the LLEP for recognising the potential strength and economic impact of this development by committing its GPF funding. This undoubtedly initially helped to open-up the site for development"

Nick Pulley Chair of the LLEP said:

"The GPF loan fund has done exactly what it was set up to do: assisting the private sector to commit to, or accelerate, projects to secure economic improvement and create jobs within the LLEP area.

"It is great to work with Wilson Bowden Developments, a Leicestershire based company, to help deliver this high profile scheme and we are delighted that it has already struck such a significant deal with M&G. We are looking forward to seeing the new investment and new employment opportunities as activity on the site increases."

Wilson Bowden Developments is also working with Leicestershire County Council and apprenticeship company, Construction Futures, to maximise local employment and provide training for local unemployed people.

For further information about the site, please contact either:

• Henry Henson | T: 01530 276276 | E: henry.henson@wilsonbowden.co.uk
• Sebastian Foster | T: 01530 276276 | E: sebastian.foster@wilsonbowden.co.uk