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Latest phase of Tyne Tunnel Estate refurbishment complete

UK Land Estates has completed the next phase of refurbishment at Tyne Tunnel Estate with a 46,000sqft redevelopment project for Chirton Engineering.

Chirton Engineering has signed a 15 year lease on the 46,000sqft factory for its precision engineering facility and has recently invested £1m on 3 new machines for their new premises.

Chirton Engineering began 10 years ago with 4 employees and now employs 69 staff making equipment for the oil and gas and renewable energy sectors, with an enviable global customer base, including IHC Merwede, Oceaneering, and Proserv Offshore.

It has recently expanded into component manufacturing for manufacturers including McLaren, as part of a strategy of collaborative innovation with its core customer base.

The unit, which had stood empty for 2 years, was stripped back to the original steel frame and built back up in modern materials that will surpass current building regulations.

Part of the modernisation included the installation of a biomass fuelled heating system to reduce the occupier’s carbon footprint. This was important to Chirton and reinforces their corporate social responsibility and environmental credentials.

Adrian Bartle, director of UK Land Estates, commented: “We have worked extensively with Chirton Engineering to fully understand their business and ensure they have the ideal premises to keep the company on course to double their turnover within the next 3 years.

“STP Construction completed the refurbishment on our behalf, having undertaken the previous work on the estate.”

So far UK Land Estates has invested over £2.4m into extensively refurbishing 12 of the smaller units on Tyne Tunnel, including new roof, external cladding, internal redecoration with new office area and doors.

Work has also been completed on the former Marks & Spencer depot, which offers a 103,311sqft superb flexible manufacturing and distribution space with ground and dock level loading access together with 6,568 sqft of office. This unit is Let which reflects the popularity of this superb estate.

Mark Proudlock, logistics and industrial associate, Knight Frank, says: “The refurbishment programme undertaken by UK Land Estates has generated a great deal of interest with a number of letting.

“This level of interest, despite a challenging market, suggests that there is definite demand for the right product. The Tyne Tunnel Trading Estate is a great location being so close to the now dualled Tyne Tunnel and the Coast Road.

“The Tyne Tunnel Estate has always been a popular location being close to the A19 and the Coast Road but clearly the opening of the dualled Tyne Tunnel has transformed connectivity north/south of the river creating even stronger appeal for this location.”

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