Oxfordshire: Multi-million pound vote of confidence in Grove Business Park

A major £40m regeneration programme which could create up to 1,000 jobs is under way at Grove Business Park.

Since taking over the 32-acre park in December 2015, owners Grove Business Park have set about completely revamping its buildings and facilities with 85 businesses now based there. A master plan is in place to more than double existing accommodation for businesses covering a wide variety of sizes and sectors offering major employment opportunities which could see the existing tally of 300 people working there increased significantly.

In the past 18 months, 10,000 sq ft of offices in the central Quad area have been upgraded to form four self-contained office suites. Significantly, three are let with the fourth shortly to go under offer.

Work on refurbishing the serviced office facility at Boston House is also nearing completion with up to 100 desks occupied and room for 280 when work is finished in July. The access road has also been improved with signage replaced to make navigating the park easier.

Richard Lyall, project director for Grove Business Park Ltd, said: “We are witnessing a transformation in progress and businesses are responding in increasing numbers. “Demand for space is growing as we create a park that offers a great central location with easy access to the A34, M4 and M40 along with state of the art facilities for businesses ranging from start-ups to major operators.”

Ongoing work involves splitting Merlin House into three units totalling 5,000 sq ft with occupiers already in place, while Aspect House will be refurbished to create 11,000 sq ft of Grade A office space which could be let as one or split into several units.

This year, construction of 24 highly-flexible units for start-up and small businesses will begin. Also, plans will shortly be submitted to demolish the 'Village' area and rebuild 35,000 sq ft of larger business units for sale or rent. These will vary from 1,500-7,000 sq ft. Outline planning consent is in place for an additional 220,000 sq ft of new build development bringing it up to 400,000 sq ft with bespoke design and build packages available to meet the needs of individual businesses of 10,000 sq ft and above. Meanwhile, discussions are taking place which should see a café in place within six months, while an 80-pupil nursery could also be open by Autumn 2018, both of which would complement the existing 450-member health club.

David Hill, director of Grove Business Park, said: “We bought the Park because we recognised its vast potential, not just in terms of what was already in place but what it could become. “Matched by our investment, that vision is now being realised with state-of-the-art buildings and facilities that are highly attractive to businesses looking for the very best for their customers and staff. We are looking forward to an exciting future.”