Looking back on 2023

It’s been a busy year at Longbridge with lots of milestones being achieved – we take a look back at some of the highlights as we get ready for even more in ‘24!

January 23: Work starts on Waters Corporation

Midlands-based Speller Metcalfe started work in January on an industry-leading scientific research building for Waters Corporation.

 

February 23: National Apprentice Week

Longbridge has a long history of supporting apprenticeships, starting with the Austin Apprenticeships scheme which saw young men ‘boarding’ close by and studying engineering at Longbridge to present day where many of our suppliers and partners offer their own training courses.

 

March 23: Pure Offices

Pure Offices added to its 22 sites with a new facility at 1 Devon Way. With over 30,000 sq.ft. it can accommodate up to 70 businesses with 1 – 30 employees.

 

April 23: Planning permission granted for 183 St. Modwen Homes

On a site that was previously home to one of Europe’s largest car plants, planning permission was granted for a selection of 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes and apartments to be known as St Modwen Homes at West Works.

 

May 23: MG Centenary Celebration

On 27 May, over a 1000 MG cars gathered at the British Motor Museum at Gaydon to celebrate a hundred years of the marque. Many cars travelled in convoy from Longbridge, where a large number of the cars were produced.

 

June 23: Women in Property visit to Longbridge

30 women (and 2 men!) from the Midlands chapter of Women in Property did a tour of the former West Works at Longbridge on a very hot day in June.

 

July 23: Annatomix work completed

Popular artist Annatomix spent July busily creating artwork on the newly created River Rea trail.  This has now been completed and will open to the public in early 2024.

 

August 23: I love Longbridge Photography Competition

To encourage everyone to ‘see’ all the greenery and great architecture around Longbridge we held out first photography competition over the summer for members of the public.

 

September 23: St Modwen LandAid Run

28 September saw the fifth St. Modwen LandAid Run take place with more than 300 competitors raising over £50,000 and bringing the fundraising total to in excess of £250,000!

 

October 23: Water’s Corporation reaches PC

Water’s Corporations new facility at St. Modwen’s Longbridge Business Park has reached practical completion. The new building will replace their existing facility in Solihull – increasing space by 300% and creating over 100 new highly skilled jobs.

 

November 23: Ending the year on more highs!!

The highly-anticipated Blaise IVC opened its doors at Longbridge this month and is set to become a centre for veterinary excellence in the West Midlands.

At the end of the month we were thrilled to receive two Insider Media Property Awards – Regeneration Project of the Year for West Longbridge and the Sustainability Award for the River Rea regeneration.

 

December 23: Looking forward to 2024

West will be opening up even more in 2024! Sterling Pharmaceuticals is coming to site along with new homes and the opening of Waters Corporation. We’ve also got several new occupier announcements in the pipeline…

The revitalised and regenerated River Rea Nature Trail will finally be opened with the unveiling of artwork and sculptures by popular artists and we look forward to watching all the plantings across the development flourish further…