Why south Bedfordshire?

South Bedfordshire has the location, the sites and the workforce. Located 25 miles to the north west of London, and with the M1 running through the District, over three quarters of the UK mainland population can be reached within a same day return journey. Rail links are available from Leighton Buzzard and nearby London Luton Airport offers direct flights to an ever increasing number of European destinations.

A wide range of good quality sites and premises are available across the district at competitive prices. Rents remain lower than in surrounding areas without compromising on quality (£7 per sq ft in Dunstable compared to £7.50 per sq ft in Hemel Hempstead and £8 per sq ft in North London). Wage costs are also lower, yet with the proximity of two world-class universities – the University of Cranfield and the University of Bedfordshire-and the local provision of vocational and business related training, businesses can be assured of a skilled and flexible workforce.

Several household names, including BE Aerospace, Sellotape and WH Smith have already taken advantage of this location. With Honeytop Speciality Foods, Beefeater Restaurant and Pub, Drinks Direct, Cakes for the Connoisseur, Interbrew UK, Fine Foods International and Sampan Foods also located in Dunstable, a definite food and drink cluster exists.

Accelerating development
The redevelopment of South Bedfordshire’s largest brownfield site, the 45-acre former AWD/Bedford Trucks site, is complete. The site, now known as ProLogis Park, features two large distribution units. These have been let to the A.S Watson Group (behind the Superdrug and Savers brands), and to Cinram Logistics, distributors of home entertainment media.

The redevelopment of the BTR site in Dunstable is progressing. Now completely cleared, the site will be replaced with a 60,600sq ft office development, known as ‘The Gateway’.

In Leighton Buzzard, a new development of 13 offices is under construction. And units in a prestigious office development in rural Toddington were fully let shortly after its completion.

Town centre regeneration continues. Recently opened in Dunstable, the Grove Theatre is a £16m theatre and entertainment venue, accompanied by bar and restaurant opportunities and residential development. In Houghton Regis, work has begun on a £4m enhancement scheme for Bedford Square, including a new library and medical centre. And in Leighton Buzzard, plans for a marina next to the Grand Union Canal have been proposed.
The inclusion of South Bedfordshire within the Milton Keynes South Midlands Growth Area presents further opportunities. 26,000 new homes by 2021, additional services for the increased population, and proposed infrastructure improvements including M1 widening and the Dunstable Northern Bypass, are prospects to be capitalised upon.

£10m and counting
Dunstable and Houghton Regis, along with Luton, contain the only wards within the Eastern region designated as Assisted Areas. Within the wards of Dunstable Icknield, Houghton Hall, Tithe Farm and Parkside, companies of all sizes looking to make a capital investment may be eligible for financial assistance under the Selective Finance for Investment in England (SFIE) scheme. Subject to criteria, grants are available for buying or leasing land or premises, refurbishing buildings, and investment in new machinery or manufacturing processes. Across the remainder of South Bedfordshire, small to medium sized businesses are also eligible to apply for SFIE support.

To date, companies in Dunstable and Houghton Regis have been extremely successful in securing financial assistance through SFIE. Between 2000 and 2006, over £10m in grants were offered to companies located, or planning to locate, in the Assisted Areas.

For further information contact Donna Wilkinson, Economic Development Officer at South Bedfordshire District Council, on 0845 849 6291, e-mail donna.wilkinson@southbeds.gov.uk, or visit www.southbeds.gov.uk