Lymedale Centre Official Opening

The official opening of Lymedale Business Centre was held this week located on Lymedale Business Park, just outside of Newcastle-under-Lyme. The Centre that is now approaching its first six months of being operational following development was officially opened by Councillor John Taylor, Leader of Staffordshire County Council and it was an ideal occasion to celebrate this landmark achievement of what the Partnership has delivered.

Lymedale Business Centre has been designed and constructed in an environmentally conscious way to create managed workspace ideal for both start-up and existing businesses wishing to expand. Midlands based construction company Thomas Vale were the chosen contractors for the £5.2 million Business Centre, with Advantage West Midlands investing £3.4m into the project and a further £1.8m from Staffordshire County Councils Regeneration Champions. There are various sized fully furnished office units ranging from 170sq.ft to 860sq.ft, and five industrial units ranging from 1310sq.ft to 1570sq.ft. On-site business support and assistance is provided by the Staffordshire and Black Country Business Innovation Centre, ensuring a prosperous and supportive environment in which businesses can develop. The centre will accommodate 60 businesses and provide over 250 new jobs

“The Centre is at the cutting edge of future thinking in business success. The team is generating a business environment here in Staffordshire which is second to none. They are putting Staffordshire on the map as a top quality investment centre, a place which should be the primary focus for all investors seeking the best place to build new business, grow and prosper. The way ahead for successful business is based on reducing expensive and unpopular carbon profligate operations. Businesses will have a real market advantage based in the latest state-of-the-art sustainable business centre.”

Councillor John Wakefield, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Prosperity and Sustainable Communities

The building has won several awards including the international Green apple award, judges recognised the centre as leading in environmental and sustainable technology and that it would have a positive benefit on climate change due to the buildings solar panels, rainwater recycling, automated lighting and special ‘cooling’ windows. The centre will also help Staffordshire County Council meet its commitment to tackle global warming by cutting greenhouse emissions by 80% by 2050.

"Lymedale Business Centre was excellent news for the north Staffordshire economy. We need innovative companies to drive our economy and Lymedale Business Centre will provide a perfect base for them. The centre has also been designed with the environment in mind. The solar energy system and rainwater harvesting system demonstrate our commitment to driving the economy and providing a better quality of life.”

Advantage West Midlands board member Sue Prince OBE

Thomas Vale has also been awarded a Considerate Constructors award which was presented to their Site Manager on the project Malcolm Walasiewicz.

Considerate constructors Jude 2008 said - “The surrounding businesses and public were kept in the picture at each phase of the contract. The neighbours only had good words to say about the management team and the consideration shown by Thomas Vale. This site met and exceeded all of the requirements of the Considerate Constructors Scheme. The team is to be complimented on its achievements”

The fully integrated construction team worked collaboratively at all levels and was able to provide the best in terms of quality, value and sustainability at all stages of the build. The team also managed a number of environmental issues with newts without compromising the construction, and to further celebrate the success of this unique partnership the contract was completed 6 weeks early and within budget.

Ian Coombes, Partnership Manager, Thomas Vale.

Guests had the perfect opportunity to browse round the new centre and gain a full insight of the benefits available to businesses and to celebrate its success to date.