TLB Backs Doncaster With £20M Expansion Plans



9 January 2008

Doncaster-based TLB Properties is ignoring commercial property market jitters and re-affirming its long-term support for the town with the announcement of £20m expansion schemes for the group’s flagship Centrix Business Park at Kirk Sandall.

The development, that has already attracted anchor tenant LA Fitness to re-locate from London, is now moving into a second £6.5m development phase, to be followed by an impressive third £13.5m stage.

Work has already started in developing the current state of the art complex into compact units suitable for trade counters, storage and distribution hubs, ranging from 2,000 to 7,000 sq ft with a further 14,000 sq ft of modern office space also available.

TLB director Tariq Shah stresses that flexibility will be key to the development, with facilities suitable for start-up companies or major concerns, like LA Fitness, seeking a national or regional headquarters: “The railway station is adjacent to the business park, making London commutable in a little over two hours and there is direct access to Junction 4 of the M18,” he says.

Phase two is due for completion this year, prior to work commencing on the third and most exciting phase. This will take in 40,000 sq ft of modern office space and a 1,600 sq ft crèche. In addition to the office space the site will offer 32,000 sq ft of modern incubation units for new and growing businesses, offering top quality accommodation at the most attractive rentals in the region.

Peter Dale, Strategic Director of Development at Doncaster Council, said: "The Council has worked with TLB properties to create a scheme which meets our aspirations as the planning authority and reflects the needs of the town in relation to inward investment opportunities and we welcome this ongoing commitment to investment in the town.”

TLB chief executive Nadeem Shah said: “Nationally, there’s been a lot of negativity in the market and a danger of talking ourselves into a recession. The MFI project at Thorne is ample proof that this area is going places and we’re continuing with our commitment to Doncaster with this, the first of a number of plans we have for the town.

“We’re creating first class business accommodation at substantially lower rentals than other sites such as Lakeside and this will give growing businesses a firm base for expansion without over-reaching on premises. We hope this will help existing and new businesses to grow, in addition to encouraging more businesses to re-locate here.”