Work Starts on Oxford Court Expansion…

WORK has begun on the phase 2 expansion of Oxford Court – the high-end business development on the Granby Industrial Estate in Weymouth. The scheme by DJ Property will transform a derelict plot into more flexible modern units ideal for business and light industrial use, bringing the total at Oxford Court to 23 units.

Specialist builders, Mildren Construction, are working with the environmental remediation experts, Cognition, to prepare the brownfield site for building work in a few weeks’ time. The three units will be up and ready for lease in the autumn and can be configured in sizes ranging from 1,400 to 4,200 square feet.

The first phase of Oxford Court was completed in 2008 and was snapped up fast by both local and national businesses. The courtyard design offers masses of parking and the units themselves are highly secure and virtually maintenance free. They can be configured in a vast number of ways to suit individual businesses.

DJ Property says that despite the recession, there’s a growing need for commercial space in South Dorset. Chief Executive Mickey Jones said: ‘Over the next two years, the region is set to benefit from numerous converging factors such as traffic improvements, investments at Osprey Quay, the Olympic spotlight, plus a fast growing tourist and industrial sector. These will have a substantial impact on firms expanding in the area. DJ Property has invested £3.5 million in Oxford Court because we want to provide South Dorset businesses with the facilities we know they need to thrive and grow.’

The new development will follow the same successful template as the original Oxford Court design with a modern courtyard-style layout and flexible, low maintenance, highly secure units. All will have fast internet access and substantial parking facilities. They also will come with power-floated floors designed to a high loading capacity allowing tenants to install their own free-standing mezzanine level – effectively doubling their floor space with no additional lease charge.

‘South Dorset has massive opportunities to grow and prosper. Despite the rest of the country putting expansion plans on hold, this new extension will offer more companies the space and facilities to capitalise on the opportunities unfolding in the region over the coming months,’ added Mickey Jones.

Over the years DJ Property has helped many businesses establish themselves – the firm’s hands-on experience and straight-talking approach has won the trust of scores of new and relocating companies.

The late David Jones, founder of DJ Property, built much of the Granby Industrial Estate in the 1960s. Since then there has been steady growth and the estate now covers more than 30 acres. The Chickerell Link Road, completed in 2006, has improved the estate’s accessibility, making it the commercial centre of South Dorset. Today the Granby is the home of many local, national and international firms ranging from Europcar and DEK to Paragon Skills.