York looks good too

What is impressive about the regional market is that there is a healthier situation in other towns and cities.

The improvement is not confined to Leeds because there has been plenty of activity in York, such as a 124 bedroom hotel at Layerthorpe for Tiger Developments and four deals at the Stirling Park Industrial Estate, Clifton Moor.

The four deals total 3,066 sq.m. (33,000 sq.ft.). DTZ’s Paul Mack said: “Clifton Moor continues to be the location of choice for many businesses and trade counter operators in York and the wider North Yorkshire area.” At York Business Park, Evans of Leeds has sold three office and hybrid business units at Opus Avenue and Novus Avenue for £1.54 million.

Richard Flanagan of Lawrence Hannah said: “These deals are another chapter in the success story of York Business Park, which is well located two miles from the city centre.” In the centre, Mott MacDonald has taken space at St Saviour
House through DTZ whose Eamon Fox said: “The city’s reputation as the centre for the UK rail industry makes it an attractive destination for professional firms such as Mott MacDonald.” The consultants made the decision after cycling
to work was the preferred mode of transport for its staff. At nearby Knaresborough the tea and coffee merchants, Taylor of Harrogate, has leased a 6,968 sq.metres (75,000 sq.ft.) distribution centre on the 22 acre St James Business Park. Roger Quarmby of St James said: “It is one of the final pieces in the jigsaw of our successful business park, which we have been developing for the past 15 years.” He believes that the success of the business park “will help to drive the economic growth of the historic town of Knaresborough.”