A MAJOR distribution company is moving its operation to a purpose-built building on a new industrial park just outside Worcester.

Arrow Distributors Ltd will be one of the first companies to move into the 10.5-acre Area7 site, close to junction seven of the M5, at Norton.

The company will move to a new 93,000sq ft distribution facility on the site, which already has permission for warehousing, distribution and production.

Corporate headquarters

The building will also be the corporate headquarters for Arrow Distributors, now based in Blackpole.

Area7, which lies next to Morganite Crucible's state-of-the-art production facility, is being developed jointly by Alfred McAlpine and Birmingham-based Hortons' Estates.

It takes up the area that was occupied by the Morganite's old factory, which was demolished last year.

Due to advances in technology, the new factory takes up one third of the area, leaving the remainder available for regeneration.

Because the area is already zoned B1, B2 and B8, potential tenants enjoy a degree of flexibility.

"Instead of saying 'this is what you can have', prospective tenants are saying 'this is what I want'," said Colin Felton, spokesman for the development.

"Obviously, we have to get detailed planning permission for each particular project but we're happy to design and build whatever the client needs."

Mr Felton said there had been huge interest from other local companies in the development, although he could not yet name the companies.

The site offers freehold and leasehold units from 10,000sq ft up to 150,000sq ft.

It was bought as a joint venture by Alfred McAlpine and Hortons'.

The scheme is being jointly marketed by Birmingham-based Hillier Parker and Harris Lamb, in Worcester.

Subject to planning permission, Arrow Distribution's facility should be ready for occupation by summer 2003.