Further investment in a Hull business park is being planned after the site welcomed 20 new tenants since it was bought and relaunched.
Base Business Space is the name given to the former Chamberlain Business Park, having been acquired by Allenby Commercial in December 2020. he sprawling site was seen as key to addressing the shortage of quality, efficient and useable business space for SMEs, with the rising cost of entire new build front-of-mind.
After carrying out a programme of urgent initial works, the commercial property specialist began taking new tenants in April last year, and additional units could now be added after an influx of small firms.
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Those now trading from the former army tank repair depot range from sole traders to teams up to eight-strong, working in sectors including logistics, flooring, offshore safety equipment, car valeting and detailing and dance and fitness.
With around 25 jobs created by the new tenants, the total number of businesses at Base has climbed to 65 with more than 200 employees.
Dale Gooderham, asset manager at Allenby Commercial, said: “The rising cost of building is proving a challenge in developing units for SMEs and that’s why Base offered such a unique opportunity in a convenient location. We set about repurposing the existing units, bringing them into use to suit the 21st century marketplace.
“We will continue investing. The priority has always been the inside of the buildings because people want to be in there and working, but we’re also tidying up the exteriors and there are plans for some new-build as well.”
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Derelict buildings have been transformed with the introduction of eco-friendly features including double glazing, solar panels and new planted areas. Security improvements include new electric gates, CCTV and a new perimeter fence.
Dale added: “The work has created some easy access units and we have sub-divided some of the larger areas to create more efficient space for small businesses.
All the space has been refurbished to a high standard to help businesses reduce their capital expenditure – we have put in offices and carpets and made it easier for people to move in quickly.
“We can do that because we are a landlord, a developer and a contractor so we have an end-to-end business model and can streamline the process. We rely less on third parties and that’s made a big difference in the current climate. We can remove the obstacles ourselves and help businesses grow and generate new jobs, and the result is that the Base is a constant hive of activity.”
The 100,000 sq ft site was bought from national operator BizSpace, and was described as the most versatile in the Allenby portfolio on completion.
Meet some of the new tenants:
JB Cheer & Dance Academy
Jillian Blowman launched in 2018 and rented space in a sixth form college with a five-year plan to find her own premises. She was able to fulfil that strategy, and next month celebrates the anniversary of the relocation for her team of three staff and more than 120 members, who include her five-year-old daughter Poppy.
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Jillian said: “I was working as a teacher doing PE in primary schools and was made redundant so I decided to start my own business going into schools and doing after-school clubs. I also launched Cheertots which now has 10 licensees across the country. It’s cheerleading for under-fives and we do it here on a Saturday. I was aware there wasn’t much opportunity to do this in our area and I knew there was a market for it and it was missed in schools.
“The space here is great. Allenby fitted the unit out, with toilets kitchen area and LED lighting throughout so all we had to do was fill it was equipment and a banner and graffiti by local artist Neil Posto Deanes.
“Allenbys have been brilliant. It was great to have their support and to be able to move in quickly and it’s a good location – I grew up just round the corner in James Reckitt Avenue and it’s convenient for everybody to get here from anywhere in the area.”
Simpson Valeting and Detailing
Dave Simpson moved into powder coating after being made redundant as a paint sprayer and then set up his own business, moving to a unit at Base in April.
His regular clients turn up at his workshop with everything from a Vauxhall Corsa or a Ford Focus to a Rolls Royce, Ferrari or Lamborghini. As a mobile operator before he moved to Base, Dave has also worked on boats at Hull Marina and Bridlington harbour, caravans and motorhomes and even helicopters.
He said: “I got fed up with driving around everywhere, especially with the price of fuel, and it was also easier for some of my regulars to bring their cars to me so I needed a workshop. A customer told me this place had been taken over and was being redeveloped so I came for a look and this building caught my eye. It’s near the entrance so a lot of people pass it on their way in and out and can see what I’m working on.”
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