Horticultural specialist chooses Ashford
Posted on 20 July 2020Horticultural supplies specialist Acorn Wholesale Ltd is moving into Carlton Road Business Park in Ashford – the first tenant to move in since restrictions on opening hours were relaxed for the site on Cobbs Wood industrial estate.
Carlton Road Business Park is located less than a mile from J9 of the M20 and is a short distance from Ashford International station, giving access to Europe via a daily Eurostar service*, while London St Pancras is just 38 minutes away. The 28 units range in size from 865 sq ft to 20,000 sq ft, with the flexibility to combine units.
The 47,000 sq ft development was built by Gallagher Properties and acquired in a multi-million pound deal by Ashford Borough Council. It was officially opened in October 2019. An application to extend opening hours was approved in June after it was shown that restrictions on weekend operations was hampering efforts to market the site to potential tenants.
“I needed to relocate and Ashford, being an international hub, was the obvious and most logical choice.”
Jacqui Coachworth, Acorn Wholesale Managing Director
Explaining the move from its old base at Chartham near Canterbury to Ashford, Acorn Wholesale Managing Director Jacqui Coachworth said: “I needed to relocate and Ashford, being an international hub, was the obvious and most logical choice.
“Finding Carlton Road Business Park was a fantastic bit of luck as it suited every need for the continuing growth of my business. Situated in a great location with easy access, the site is clean and well laid out, with wonderful facilities and an understanding landlord. I’m looking forward to the future!”
Acorn Wholesale are UK distributors of professional biotechnical products and nutrients for the commercial farming, gardening and cultivation industry and for private gardeners and growers. Founded in 2005, it is the UK & Eire distributor of Ferro Nutrients and Additives. In 2012, it took on the UK distribution of biotechnical products for German firm Shieer. For more details visit www.acorn-wholesale.co.uk
“The level of interest being shown in Carlton Road is encouraging and demonstrates that the decision to extend the hours was the right one.”
Ashford Borough Council
A spokesman for Ashford Borough Council said: “We are delighted to welcome a new business to the town and pleased they have recognised the many benefits of moving into Carlton Road. Negotiations are ongoing with a number of companies who have expressed interest in taking space, so we hope to be making further announcements in due course.
“The level of interest being shown in Carlton Road is encouraging and demonstrates that the decision to extend the hours was the right one. And as the town continues to emerge from the pandemic lockdown, this shows that there is continued demand for commercial property in the borough.”
To enquire about space visit https://www.ashford.gov.uk/business/search-for-commercial-property-to-rent/council-owned-industrial-units-to-rent/
*Please note Eurostar has announced a temporary suspension of services Ashford due to Covid-19 until 2022.