Ipswich could be in line for a further employment boost, with the site of the former Alstons Cabinets factory off Nacton Road being marketed for a range of business uses by agents Savills and Nicholas Percival.
Chris Moody of Savills in Ipswich says he believes that the land in Leslie Road – which leads off Nacton Road – is the “next logical step” for development in the area, following the success of the adjoining Futura Park scheme which is home to businesses including John Lewis, Waitrose and a growing number of motor dealerships.
The agents say: “The site owners are able to adopt a flexible approach whereby new spec built units will be brought forward in addition to potential land sales and the delivery of design and build solutions.”
They add: “The success of neighbouring developments, particularly Futura Park, adjacent where John Lewis and Waitrose are represented, has contributed to this part of Ipswich having become a ‘destination’ for a range of shoppers and trade uses.
“This site is now primed to meet the requirements of those parties who have hitherto been unsuited and/or require a high profile site with strong corporate branding, and easy access to the A14 (A12) and the town centre.”
Although accesssed from the Nacton Road end, the site runs alongside the rear of the Jaguar Land Rover and Audi vehicle dealerships on Futura Park and extends almost as far as Felixstowe Road, on the town side of the roundabout leading to the Sainsbury’s and Homebase stores at Warren Heath. The Euro Retail Park is also close by.
Container transport operator RPS Transport and vehicle body repairer MG Kerry are already owner-occupiers within the 19-site Leslie Road site.
The agents believe that the remainder of the land could interest businesses such as trade counter operators, motor sales and other retail-type activities, along with conventional business space users, but they are prepared to discuss other proposals, leasehold or freehold, ranging from land-only to full design-and-build deals.
Alstons Cabinets, which was part of a family business established by brothers William and Ambrose Alston in Sudbury in 1860, closed in 2011 with the loss of around 130 jobs in the face of low-priced competition from overseas manufacturers.
The separate Alstons Upholstery business in Colchester was not affected by the Ipswich closure. It was sold by the family in 2015 to a joint venture company involving its management team and Thailand Carpet Manufacturing, and continues to operate in the Essex town.
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