INDUSTRIAL developer Chancerygate’s Birchwood office has announced construction work has started on four units at its new Mersey Reach logistics park in Aintree.

The four units comprise the development’s first phase at 112,500 sq ft, with the second phase totalling 90,000 sq ft.

According to Chancerygate, once complete Mersey Reach has the potential to create up to 350 jobs.

Contractor Caddick Construction, which also has an office in Birchwood, is now on site having won a £7.85 million contract to build the scheme’s first phase following a competitive tender.

This is Caddick’s second appointment by Chancerygate after it was awarded a £10.7m contract in September to build phase one of the 132,000 sq ft Novus business park in Knutsford.

Situated on Dunnings Bridge Road, Mersey Reach is strategically located on a prominent gateway route into the new Liverpool SuperPort, with fast access to the M57 and M58.

One of the four units in phase one has already been pre-let to builders merchants Selco Builders Warehouse and work is scheduled for completion by August 2020.

Chancerygate has also sold a two-acre plot on the site to Blackburn-based independent fuel station and convenience retailer Euro Garages. The land will be developed into a fuel station, drive-thru Starbucks and SPAR retail store.

The development is supported by a loan from Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and The Chrysalis Fund, a £35 million fund which finances property and regeneration projects throughout the Liverpool City Region.

Chancerygate development director and head of the company’s Birchwood office, Mike Walker, said: “Mersey Reach is the first development of its kind in north Liverpool for many years, so it’s great that construction is underway and we can begin to meet latent demand for high-specification urban logistics units in the area.

“This is a prime example of what Chancerygate does best, providing attractive property in strategic locations."

Managing director of Caddick Construction’s north west division, Ian Threadgold, added: “This is a very exciting project for Caddick Construction to be involved in. It’s always great for the team to be working on a scheme that’s going to have such a positive impact on the local economy by attracting new businesses and creating job opportunities.

“We are delighted that Chancerygate chose Caddick as its preferred developer for Mersey Reach and we look forward to being part of this important project.”