A 'location for the future' will be key to Two Devon Way success

Two Devon Way

14 September 2008

Attracting and retaining the right calibre of staff is a major consideration for employers, and choosing a sustainable location for the business is crucial to this process - particularly in tightening economic conditions, when the rising cost of oil has prompted car owners to think twice before filling up and driving to the office.

At Longbridge Technology Park, a key project on the Central Technology Belt, the UK's leading regeneration specialist St Modwen has delivered the first phase of a £100 million 40-acre urban business park, designed as a hub for technology-led businesses.

With the Innovation Centre now more than 80 per cent let, the neighbouring Two Devon Way at 31,208 sq ft is standing out as the largest single office building available to let along the Central Technology Belt, which extends along the A38 to Malvern in Worcestershire. The two storey building is rated BREEAM 'Very Good' and has 15,000 sq ft floor plates - again the largest available along this stretch.

Andrew Venables, director at property consultants GVA Grimley, believes that in addition to the quality of the building itself, one of the strongest USPs of Two Devon Way in the current marketplace is its highly sustainable location. Andrew said: "Prominently positioned on the A38 (Bristol Road South), Longbridge Technology Park has one of the most accessible locations of any urban business park in the Midlands. The numbers really do say it all, with a phenomenal 350 buses passing the Technology Park every day.

&qout;Longbridge Train Station, which is on the Lichfield to Redditch line, is just a short walk away, and trains leave Longbridge Station every 10 minutes. Services arrive at Birmingham University shortly afterwards, and New Street and Five Ways stations are accessed within 15 minutes.

"Although public transport is becoming an increasingly viable option for those hit by rising petrol prices and the recently introduced car tax banding, for those that can't be parted from their vehicles, the M42 (Junction 2) and M5 (Junction 4) are five minutes drive away - opening up links to the UK's motorway network. Birmingham city centre is eight miles away and is accessed via the A38 - one of the main arterial routes into the city.

"Given the extent of the surrounding transport network and the large scale regeneration planned for Longbridge, the Technology Park really is a location for the future and Two Devon Way represents an exciting prospect for businesses looking for sustainable office space in a fast growing hub for technology and innovation."

Two Devon Way has been designed with expanding technology-based businesses in mind. Two large 15,000 sq ft open plan floor plates provide grow-on space for companies requiring high quality accommodation of 4,000 sq ft and more. A full range of business support facilities are available for occupiers, together with undercroft and surface car parking and round-the-clock security. Allocated on-site parking is designated to each company with overflow and visitor spaces available.

Mike Murray, senior development manager for St Modwen, said: "The appeal of a location which offers ease of access, together with a flexible, inspirational and secure environment cannot be underestimated, and Two Devon Way at Longbridge Technology Park scores highly when you consider all of these factors. Aside from the advantages of there being a vast local labour pool, employers can be confident that staff from further afield and clients from out of the region will benefit from the proximity of an extensive transport network literally on the doorstep."

Plans are under way at Longbridge Technology Park to deliver two additional buildings which would potentially add a further 40,000 sq ft of available space. Three Devon Way will provide 25,000 sq ft and Five Devon Way 15,000 sq ft of flexible Grade A office space.

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