Screwfix arrival underlines potential of The Trade Yard

Charlie Allenby with Alex Kneeshaw of Screwfix

A NEW industrial unit in Beverley reached a milestone this week with the official opening of the first branch in the town for household-name retailer Screwfix.

The company, which is the UK’s largest multi-channel supplier of trade tools, plumbing, electrical, bathrooms and kitchens, has created 14 jobs at its new outlet at The Trade Yard in Barmston Road.

Allenby Commercial, Hull-based owners and developers of the site, are confident that more jobs will be generated with a second unit available now and from future phases of development. Work will start in September on three units, providing 9,000 square feet of space for occupation early in 2017.

Dave Garness, managing director of Garness Jones chartered surveyors, who are marketing the site, said: “There is an immediate business and employment opportunity with the second unit, which like Screwfix is ideal for the trade counter sector.

“The future phases will bring greater diversity to The Trade Yard. It will be suitable for start-ups, people wanting to move into bigger or more modern premises with such features as mezzanine floors and people seeking a more convenient location on the edge of an increasingly busy community with much improved road links.”

Lee Aspin, manager of the new store, said the aim was to drive employment in the Beverley area by recruiting local people and by supporting local businesses.

He said: “We’ve created 14 brand new vacancies and have employed local people from around the Beverley area. Our new team includes people of all ages and levels of experience, but the most important requirement is that they have the right attitude and can offer superb customer service. I’m confident that we’ve got a great location here in Beverley.”

Allenby Commercial launched The Trade Yard brand after acquiring the 7.24-acre Swinemoor Industrial Estate in 2015. Existing tenants included Bartoline, who occupy 28,000 square feet, and Derbybeech modular buildings with 62,000 square feet.

The 5,000-square foot unit occupied by Screwfix is the first new property to be built on the site and the adjacent vacant unit is identical in terms of size and specification.

Charlie Allenby, the company’s contracts manager, said: “The Trade Yard concept is aimed at supporting jobs and investment in the local community by offering high quality, affordable space for business.

“The arrival of Screwfix and the creation of 14 jobs gives an indication of the potential of the site. The second unit is available now and we will have three more in place early in 2017.

“The timescales for completion of the entire site have yet to be decided but our plan is to build more than 20 new units in total, and that is in addition to the refurbishments which have already supported the expansion of existing tenants on the wider site.”