A campus-style business park in Northants with the potential to be occupied by up to 500 people has been officially launched.
More than 70 businessmen and women and civic dignitaries toasted the future of Caswell Science & Technology Park, near Towcester.
The celebratory event was held by regional technology parks operator Fasset, which is actively marketing and letting vacant space for on-site client Oclaro, formerly known as Bookham, a multi-national specialising in optical components for telecommunications and the internet.
Caswell, set in rolling countryside near the A43, is a 22-acre site comprising of 170,000 sq ft mixed-used office, manufacturing and laboratory space, with 160 people working for 10 different companies.
Fasset is creating and managing the thriving business hub for small to large companies, making surplus space pay its way.
The company also announced at the event that it has been awarded a long-term contract by Oclaro to provide facilities management (FM) at the park.
Seventeen employees from former FM provider Mitie have transferred to Fasset, plus five to Aramark, Fasset’s integrated catering partner. Fasset is responsible for management of the site, including mechanical and electrical maintenance, landscaping, security, housekeeping and helpdesk.
Mitch Avis, Fasset’s account manager at Caswell, told guests: “We are breathing new life into the park, creating a vibrant business community on a truly multi-tenanted site with the ultimate goal of getting back up to the 500-people figure that used to be here some years ago.”
He added: “Our aims here are two-fold – to deliver lower occupancy cost solutions for incoming customers and to reduce Oclaro’s total occupancy costs as park landlord. It truly is a win-win situation for all parties.”
Afterwards, he said: “I would like to thank everyone who took time out of their busy working schedules to hear what the park has to offer for all sizes of companies, from one-man bands starting out to larger organisations employing hundreds of people.”
Representatives at the launch reception, held in a marquee at the front of historic Caswell House, included business networking group Northamptonshire Chamber, Business Link and The Towcester Partnership, which delivers economic projects to help drive forward jobs-led growth.
Occupiers who have moved to the park include Diamond Hard Surfaces, IT Systems UK, Solutions Research, Nemisys, Definition Media and Finch Business Solutions, with nearly 30 people new to the site. Two other companies are due to move in next month (August).
To date 23 out of the 33 workstations available at the serviced offices in Caswell House have been let, with five lots of two workstation offices available for letting on flexible, competitive terms.
Meanwhile 42,000 sq ft of managed office, laboratory and workshop space is available, while 1,800 sq ft of workshop/office space has been let to two companies within the Grade II-listed workshops and Stables block.
Diane Partington, Fasset’s sales and marketing executive, can be contacted on 01327 355384 (office) or 01327 350581 (switchboard) or email diane.partington@fasset.co.uk
Fasset has appointed property group Carter Jonas, widely regarded as one of the leading property consultancies in the science park sector, as the agent, with Jon Silversides and Andrew Cowling handling enquiries.
The location manager for Caswell Science & Technology Park is Fasset’s Annette Clarke.
Fasset manages 1.5 million square feet of facilities and business space for more than 80-plus companies employing 6,000 people between them at technology parks across southern England.
The company, with 160 staff and a £13m turnover, is headquartered near Portsmouth, Hampshire, and specialises in transforming corporate legacy sites, on behalf of property investors and corporate occupiers, into thriving business hubs. Its website is www.fasset.co.uk