Construction underway on CR Laurence’s Rochdale site

Construction has started on a new office and warehousing unit for American glazing and stone firm CR Laurence at Kingsway Business Park in Rochdale.

Stephen Boocock, managing director of CR Laurence Europe, and sales director David Beckett met with Cllr Mohammad Sharif, lead member for regeneration at Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council and Robert Grafton, development director of Wilson Bowden Developments to mark the start of construction with a sod cutting on site.

The Kingsway partnership involves developer Wilson Bowden Developments and the North West Development Agency, supported by Rochdale Development Agency and Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council. The new 71,000 sq ft building has been designed by DLA Architects.

Stephen Boocock said: "We have been extremely impressed by the Kingsway team who have made the whole process of securing new premises very simple. The design of the building is original and tailored to our needs and will allow us to grow and expand in the future."

Robert Grafton of Wilson Bowden Developments believes the recent completion of a new £10m road has opened up a further 107 acres for prime development.

Grafton added: "There are industrial units currently available ranging from 19,679 sq ft to 34,307 sq ft. Kingsway offers high quality contemporary premises with car parking. It's set within a fantastic landscaped site boasting ponds and cycle paths. Metrolink will be arriving to the site in a few years, providing a fast connection to Manchester, Rochdale and Oldham, so the benefits of coming here are increasing all the time."

The 420-acre Kingsway Business Park is equivalent to 180 football pitches and is half the size of Manchester city centre.

CR Laurence is a supplier to the glazing, railing, architectural, construction, industrial, and automotive industries. Offering more than 50,000 different products, the company serves the industry from 25 locations.