Almost 1,000 new jobs are to be created in Huyton as a former spirits business is being transformed.
A new multi-let industrial estate aimed at light industrial, logistics and SME businesses is to be created on the former Halewood International site following its closure in August 2020. The project, operated by Network Space who acquired the land when the 44,000 square metre site closed, has been made possible by a £15.5m loan from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
More than 2,000 tonnes of carbon will be saved by creating the new industrial estate through part demolition, part refurbishment and part new build strategy using sustainable construction methods in tandem with adopting low carbon initiatives including EV charging, potential solar panels and low energy lighting. The repurposing proposals will be undertaken in two phases; the planning application for the first stage has been submitted to Knowsley Council and is due for determination in the next couple of months with phase 2 planning expected to be submitted in early 2023.
The loan from the combined authority (CA) is made up of a £6.75m loan from the Liverpool City Region Urban Development Fund (UDF) and £8.7m from the Chrysalis Fund, which is managed by igloo Investment Management on behalf of the CA. The UDF is a £25 million fund managed under the CA’s strategic investment fund framework to develop smart, sustainable and inclusive growth for the city region, while the Chrysalis fund is a £35m pot focusing on the area’s growth plan.
Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said: “Devolution is all about making sure that important decisions affecting our region are taken locally by people who live in and understand the needs of our area. It means we can ensure that every pound we spend goes toward projects that will make a tangible difference to the lives of the 1.6 million people who call it home.
“Investing in a project like this, which will create almost 1,000 jobs for local people and bring this site back into use, really is a no brainer. It will give a big boost to Knowsley and the wider city region economy, and the returns it will generate means that we’ll be able to reap the rewards and reinvest in new projects.”
Dan Adamson, group finance director for Network Space, added: “This is a strategically important site. Repurposing existing buildings, alongside the delivery of new, energy efficient units, is a complex process so it was important for Network Space to work with a funder which understands and supports what we’re trying to achieve. Liverpool City Region, with its focus on delivering jobs, inward investment and economic growth is a perfect partner.
“We look forward to delivering a sustainable development that will regenerate this area of Knowsley and deliver a thriving business destination offering a wide variety of high quality workspace.”
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