Pictured above: Cofton Centre

Longbridge is set to become the new national headquarters for fleet vehicle refurbishment and remarketing specialists IT Fleet Automotive Ltd. Up to 50 jobs will be created following the company's move to the Cofton Centre - a new £23 million self-contained estate which forms part of St. Modwen's regeneration of Longbridge.

St. Modwen has agreed a 10 year lease with IT Fleet Automotive for the 27,093 sq ft Unit Three at the Cofton Centre, together with five acres of open storage land with the capacity to accommodate around 1,500 vehicles.  From here, 200 to 250 fleet vehicles a week will be refurbished, recycled and then either sold or sent to auction.

David Williams, technical director at IT Fleet Automotive, said: "When we undertook the search for a base in the Midlands, we ultimately focused on Birmingham because of its centrality. Longbridge stood out as here we have been able to let a warehouse unit together with an extensive area of outdoor space, both of which are essential to the operational success of our business. Location and motorway access were also major factors in our decision to move to Longbridge, as the ability to transport vehicles quickly and efficiently is key to providing an effective service to our fleet clients across the UK.

"We are now in the process of recruiting a new team for our Longbridge headquarters. With a wide range of roles to fill from skilled workers to apprentices, we are hoping to appoint a high proportion of local people and to therefore play a part in boosting job creation and employment in the area."

Developed by St. Modwen as part of the wider £1billion regeneration of Longbridge, the Cofton Centre is a 35-acre self-contained and secure estate providing industrial/ warehouse space.  Situated on Groveley Lane near to the A38, the existing Unit One and Unit Two were sold to EH Smith and PRG Lighting. The newly built Unit Three and Unit Four offer almost 75,000 sq ft of space.  

Following the letting to IT Fleet Automotive, the 47,780 sq ft Unit Four is now available to let or for sale. Rated BREEAM 'Very Good', it features 2,500 sq ft of office space, four ground level loading doors and a clear internal height of eight metres.

Jonathan Green, development surveyor for St. Modwen, said: "The letting to IT Fleet Automotive at the Cofton Centre demonstrates the demand that exists in the marketplace for high quality industrial space in a well-connected location.  In a challenging economic climate, a flourishing business community is being established at Longbridge; and St. Modwen continues to take a proactive, flexible approach to meeting occupier requirements. We believe this is fundamental to the ongoing growth of the area and to the creation of 10,000 new employment opportunities at Longbridge through ongoing investment and regeneration."

Located within five minutes' drive of the M42 (Junction 2) and the M5 (Junction 4) the Cofton Centre is just eight miles from the centre of Birmingham and is close to the Longbridge train station, which provides direct access to Birmingham University and Birmingham New Street to the north and Redditch to the south.

The Cofton Centre is part of the wider £1 billion regeneration of Longbridge. More than 400 acres is set to be transformed by St. Modwen and Advantage West Midlands on the site of the former MG Rover works, delivering a sustainable community with the creation of 10,000 new jobs and up to 2,000 new homes.  A new town centre will feature the new £66 Bournville College, which is currently under construction, and there will be vast public open spaces and an excellent public transport network.