Property business Bradford Estates has comprehensively refurbished its Leeds industrial estate as part of an investment programme under way across its 420,000 sq ft nationwide portfolio.

Bradford Estates has spent a six-figure sum on upgrading the external features at Wortley Business Park, two miles west of Leeds city centre, which was acquired last year as part of a growth programme to double the size of its industrial investments.

The works completed included roof replacement, external redecoration of the cladding in its in-house Bradford colour palette as well as the installation of new doors, windows and signage.

Totalling 17,000 sq ft, Wortley Business Park is a development of 10 self-contained industrial units occupied by a range of well-established local small to medium sized enterprises. Bradford Estates, led by Managing Director Alexander Newport, purchased the estate last year as part of its strategy to acquire sites requiring hands-on asset management and refurbishment, to align with its long-term investment growth strategy.

Unit 3 on the estate, totalling 2,102 sq ft, has been internally refurbished to a high specification including a brand-new mezzanine, LED lighting and epoxy resi floors. It is now ready for immediate occupation through joint letting agents Adair Paxton and Knight Frank.

Bradford Estates Property Director Chris Hodson said: “We were excited to add an estate in Leeds to the portfolio and our continued investment through this refurbishment project demonstrates our confidence in the economic development and growth evident in the city and surrounding areas.

“Wortley Business Park already offered occupiers superb access to both Leeds city centre and the surrounding motorway network but that location is now matched by the quality of the refurbishment and we look forward to welcoming our next new business to the site. It has been a great experience working with our local advisers Adair Paxton and Jones Hargreaves, together with industry specialist contractors Roofclad Systems, to deliver this transformational project for the estate.”

Simon Holliday, Associate Director of Adair Paxton, which has its head office in Horsforth, said: “The refurbishments have transformed the estate, which was built in 2000 and is looking far better for the work. Wortley Business Park is in a popular location with excellent links to both the city centre and the motorways so it is great to see the appearance updated.”

Among the businesses to benefit from refurbishment work is mobile bar company Mix & Twist, which has been based at Wortley Business Park for eight years. Mix & Twist has benefitted from repairs to the roof, light replacements, new signage, a replacement front door and fresh decoration to the shutters.

Managing Director Millie Gibson Graham said: “It is nice to know that the owners care about how the business park looks and the tenants that are working here. They are making sure the business park is fit for purpose which we appreciate, especially when our clients come to visit.”

In total, Bradford Estates has a portfolio of 15 institutional grade estates across England and Wales, which house occupiers including popular brands Screwfix, Halfords, Crown Paints, Euro Car Parts and Plumbase, as well as many regional and local enterprises, with an occupier base which now exceeds 100 businesses.

Along with Wortley Business Park, Bradford Estates last year announced the acquisition of six estates, with the others including Rowan Industrial Park in Alton, Hampshire, Wear Industrial Estate in Washington, Tyne and Wear, Kilburn Drive in Peterlee, County Durham, Link 49, Boscombe Business Park in Avonmouth on the outskirts of Bristol and 325 Bristol Road in Gloucester.

The principal Bradford Estates asset is a 12,000-acre land holding on the Shropshire-Staffordshire borders used for regenerative farming, sustainable forestry, leisure, local housing and commercial use, including real estate investment and development.