Boost for Shropshire business as premier commercial business park gets underway

Morris Property has been granted planning permission to create a highly sought-after commercial space.

The landmark 28-acre site, on Oteley Road, Shrewsbury, adjacent to Shrewsbury Town Football Club, is available for purchase or rent from Summer 2024. 

Up to 350 jobs are expected to be created from the scheme thanks to a multi-million pound loan from the WMCA.

The development will help fuel the local economy and provide speculative and bespoke units ranging from distribution warehousing to offices, with environmental benefits and infrastructure to meet the demands of the 21st century occupier. 

Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA Chair, said: "It’s been a challenging couple of years for the West Midlands region but throughout that time the WMCA has continued to invest in schemes such as Stadium Point to help drive economic growth. 

"These investments are providing new commercial spaces for our job-creating businesses so it’s great to see this latest scheme getting underway.

"Once completed we expect upwards of 350 jobs based on the site, which is great news for local people and the town’s economy." 

Stadium Point, with its build-to-suit opportunities, has good public transport links and cycle and EV parking.

The site has a footpath network through the scheme with landscaped break-out areas for business occupiers and staff to enjoy.

Stadium Point is highly accessible for transport with its easy access to the A5 Shrewsbury By Pass, Telford, and the motorway network to the West Midlands and beyond.  

Supermarket Lidl sits adjacent to Stadium Point with Meole Brace Retail Park a short walk away, offering a range of facilities including Marks & Spencer Food Store, Sainsbury’s, Next and Boots.

From left to right: Chris Morris, director of Morris Property, Nick Oakley, head of property finance for Frontier Development Capital, Elizabeth Lowe, head of developments for Morris Property, Pete Allworth, site manager for Morris Property, Kieren Turner-Owen, property associate director for Frontier Development Capital, and Phil Griffiths, contracts manager for Morris Property

Chris Morris, Director, Morris Property said: "Despite keen demand for business units on this side of the town, we are aware that economic times remain tough, so we have designed our units to be cost and energy-efficient. 

"We are providing flexible commercial space ranging from 1,850 ft² to 175,000 ft² underpinned by Morris Property’s assurance of quality build and service.    

"We have been working closely with Shropshire Council as supporters of inward investment serving Shropshire and Mid Wales and, in partnership with the WMCA and Frontier Development Capital (FDC), we are excited to be transforming this site into a vibrant commercial centre.

"We pride ourselves on our collaborative approach and are pleased to already be working with a number of regional companies developing plans to build their businesses with us at Stadium Point."

Kieren Turner-Owen, Associate Director, FDC commented: "FDC are privileged to be working alongside Morris again after our successful funding of Paragon Point, Telford.

"The loan facility being provided for the speculative industrial development at Stadium Point is a prime example of how the WMCA funding can be deployed, accelerating job creation in the region.

"Stadium Point highlights Shrewsbury and the wider West Midlands’ excellent industrial offerings and we very much look forward to seeing the progress over the coming months.”   

Morris Property has a track record of delivering high spec, successful business and trade parks.

A recent development includes the 20-acre fully occupied Vanguard Park at Battlefield, North Shrewsbury, providing a 240,000 ft² unit occupied by businesses including Volkswagen Inchcape Dealership, Toolstation, Howdens and Euro Car Parts. 

Morris Property is part of a fifth-generation family-run property group which has been building, restoring and leasing property for over 100 years.  

Access to the WMCA funding was provided by the Property Team at Frontier Development Capital Ltd (FDC). FDC continues to work closely with property developers to arrange investments from the WMCA's Commercial Investment Fund (CIF) and Residential Investment Fund (RIF).