Construction work on a new low-carbon industrial park at the site of former council offices on Blackbird Road in Leicester is almost complete. Leicester City Council is developing the Blackbird Industrial Park on the location of a previous housing depot, situated near the city centre.

It features four buildings that will provide more than 30,000sqft of light industrial workspace across 21 separate units aimed at local start-ups and growing businesses.

All the buildings incorporate a range of low carbon, energy efficiency measures. These include roof-mounted photovoltaic panels, super insulation, and low-energy smart lighting. Chargers will be provided for electric vehicles in a new parking area, along with safe storage for bicycles.

The 21 new units are due to be available for lease from winter 2024. They range in size from the smallest at 750sqft to the largest at between 2,050 to 2,500sqft.

Annual rents will vary from £11,250 to £30,000, and at full occupancy the new industrial park could bring in over £400,000 in rental income.

The £6.25 million development on Blackbird Road has been backed with government cash following the city council’s successful bid for new investment from the Levelling Up Fund, in 2021.

City Mayor Peter Soulsby, said: “This new and much-needed industrial park will breathe new life into a vacant council site and help meet the demand for commercial and industrial workspaces for start-up and growing businesses in Leicester.

“Along with supporting local employers and the creation of new jobs, this development also demonstrates our ongoing commitment to investing in cleaner, greener and low carbon infrastructure to support the future prosperity of our growing city.”

Leicester City Council appointed locally-based Brackley Property Developments Ltd as its development partner for Blackbird Industrial Park following a competitive tendering process.

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