A Stoke-on-Trent enterprise park, which is part of a flagship jobs creation and inward investment zone, is fully let for the first time.
All 11 units at Etruria Valley Trade Park are now occupied following the decision by Shinsean Automotive to take up a four-year lease.
The dealer – which sources and supplies luxury and high-performance cars such as Porsche, Ferrari and Lamborghini – has moved into Unit 1 on the site. It is the company’s first premises.
Both James Walker, who founded the company earlier this year, and his co-director Dan Smith are North Staffordshire born and raised, so were keen to base the business in the Stoke-on-Trent area.
Dan said: “We chose the Etruria Valley Trade Park because we feel it’s got fantastic transport links with easy access from the A500 to the M6 and, also, because of the fact that they are great looking new-build units.
“We specialise in prestige and performance vehicles and feel that the look and feel of the units is in keeping with this.”
Etruria Valley Trade Park is owned by Stoke-on-Trent City Council and is situated on the wider Etruria Valley site now called St Modwen Stoke Central.
Other occupiers include Automated Material Handling Life Services Ltd, Robert Pochin Ltd, The BSS Group, Quality Transport Training, TBBC Group Ltd, MS Storage Equipment Ltd, Allscreens Nationwide Ltd and Moto Hub Engineering Ltd. All units vary in size from 3,000 to 5,000 feet.
The site also forms part of the wider Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone, which is home to big-name occupiers including National Veterinary Services (NVS), Overclockers and Emerge Global.
The number of jobs expected to be created for the whole of the Etruria Valley site is around 1,500.
Councillor Jane Ashworth, leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “The Etruria Valley Trade Park has created a wide range of opportunities for a variety of businesses looking to set-up, expand and remain in Stoke-on-Trent and it is great that it is thriving.
“We are committed to helping local businesses to grow and flourish and our Invest Stoke-on-Trent team offers a range of support services for businesses of all shapes and sizes.”
- For those intrigued by the name, Shinsean Automotive founder James Walker is half Taiwanise. His middle name is Shinsean, which translates to good fortune, honesty and integrity.
