With a pre-let to Howdens Joinery secured, Liverpool developer Redsun Projects will start work on a 50,000 sq ft trade counter scheme in Merseyside this summer. Tony McDonough reports

Developer Redsun Projects has secured planning approval for a 50,000 sq ft trade counter development in Knowsley.

Liverpool-based Redsun says the scheme, at Knowsley Industrial Estate, will be known as Knowsley Hub and will comprise seven units ranging from 8,000 sq ft to 10,000 sq ft. It acquired the three-acre site from Knowsley Council in a competitive tender.

Redsun has secured a pre-let with Howdens Joinery for a 10,000 sq ft unit and has agreed terms with another national building supplies merchant. Knowsley Hub is being designed and project managed by C4 Projects with Muir Consulting as engineer consultant.

The announcement comes just weeks after the company completed a multi-million pound industrial scheme in Wirral and secured two new tenants for the site. Magazine Point, on Wirral International Business Park in Bromborough, comprises 55,000 sq ft of light industrial space.

Speaking about the Knowsley Hub, Nick Wightman, director at Redsun Projects, said: “Working closely with Knowsley Council, we have been able to unlock this site and bring much needed industrial space forward.

“With planning now secured, we will be appointing a contractor in the coming weeks and aim to make a start on site this summer with completion before the end of the year.”

Jon Thorne at B8, joint agent for the scheme with Avison Young, added: “Knowsley Industrial Estate is a well-established industrial location, home to occupiers including B&M, QVC, Amazon and Ocado.

“To have secured deals on 16,000 sq ft before a spade has gone in the ground, demonstrates the continued demand for commercial space in this location.”