HBG Properties secures major pre-let to ICL at Crewe Business Park

HBG Properties Ltd has achieved the first major property coup in the North West in 2002.

IT Services giant, ICL has taken a pre-let on a 4,645 sq m [50,000 sq ft] net new office building at Crewe Business Park to be developed by HBG Properties and built by HBG Construction Ltd.

ICL will relocate its existing workforce of approximately 600 people from existing premises in Kidsgrove, Staffordshire,  to the new building which will be ready for occupation in early 2003.

HBG Properties purchased the long leasehold interest in the 1.1 hectare [2.71 acre] site at Crewe Business Park from joint venture partners, Cheshire County Council and Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council, in order to meet ICL's requirements and timescale.

Comments HBG Properties' regional director Clive Perrin: ICL has taken a 20 year FRI lease on the new building which HBG Construction Ltd will begin work on next month for practical completion at the end of the year. It is obviously a fast-track project and the help of Crewe and Nantwich, as both the landlord and the planning authority, was invaluable throughout the negotiations and in the successful conclusion of this deal. We are obviously delighted to be working with ICL to create a new high quality, environmentally friendly building to suit their specific operational needs and hope that this is the first of many more.

Councillor Mike Lockhart, Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council's Portfolio Holder for Environment and Jobs, added: This new development will enhance Crewe's reputation as an expanding high technology centre within Cheshire. It will be the biggest development on the Park yet.

The 27 hectare [67 acre] Crewe Business Park is marketed as the UK's first genuine eco-business park and internationally recognised as one of the best developments of its kind. It is situated within close proximity of Junction 17 of the M6.


For further information please contact:


  • Alan Smith, telephone 020 8338 2635 or e-mail asmith@hbgc.co.uk

  • Lucie Culkin, telephone 020 8338 2710 or email: lculkin@hbgc.co.uk, HBG Construction Public Relations department.