Go ahead for niche business units and 'knowledge mill' at St Petersfield

Plans have been approved by Tameside Council for 113 new business suites set within two blocks together with a unique ‘knowledge mill’ at Ask Development’s £42m St Petersfield scheme in Ashton-under-Lyne.

Set within blocks K1 and K2 on Stamford Street West, the serviced office buildings totalling 86,300 sq ft will consist of 113 units, each of 500 sq ft in size.

Around 7,000 sq ft of space on the ground floor has already been pre-let to Tameside College for a unique ‘knowledge mill’ and an additional 2,280 sq ft coffee shop.

Ask Developments has agreed a joint venture deal with Dylan Harvey to sell these managed work-spaces, situated over four floors, off-plan to investors.

Dylan Harvey will manage the space on the investor’s behalf, letting the suites to small companies looking to take space on flexible lease terms.

The ‘Knowledge Mill’ is an enterprise and training facility led through Tameside College. The philosophy is to provide a place where people and companies can develop business ideas in a business creation unit which includes open plan meeting rooms, dedicated lecture rooms, a reception and office space.

The outcome is a well founded business proposal ready for development into a fully fledged business.

Growing start-up companies then have the chance to expand and take flexible space on the upper floors within the small units – a similar system to the one already in place and working successfully at One Central Park set within Ask:Goodman’s Central Park business park.

Toby Whittaker from Dylan Harvey said: “We are pleased to be working with Ask Developments on this niche project. The commercial element of the building creates a unique product that meets the needs of the investor and that of its tenants.

“We are aware that many small commercial occupiers are often unable or unwilling to take traditional lease terms but this concept, new to Tameside, will fulfil this niche.”

Ask Developments’ development director John Hughes said: “Incorporating the commercial units and the business incubation scheme for Tameside College brings an added dimension to the building as growing, start-up companies look to take flexible space on the upper floors.

“The medium to long term benefits will ensure that new and existing companies are retained within Tameside and those businesses that have outgrown these units are accommodated in the rest of St Petersfield.”

Plans were also approved for a car park consisting of 610 spaces as well as a further 90 residential apartments, which will be set on the site of the soon-to-be relocated Ashton Fire Station on Hodgson Street, being developed by Ask’s residential arm Ask Life.

Work on the K1 K2 commercial scheme is expected to be completed in Spring 2009.