A Tyneside scheme to transform an abandoned Maling jam jar factory into a state-of-the-art office hub is on course to open this summer. Newcastle-based Naylors has been appointed sole agents for the £3m development.
Work to convert the historic factory — vacated by the Maling Pottery at the start of the Second World War — is expected to be completed by June with the Maling Exchange’s first occupants moving in within weeks.
The 45,000 sq ft complex is situated at front of the established Hoults Yard business village and media hub in Newcastle’s Ouseburn Valley. It is already home to 90 companies and provides work for more than 400 staff within the recruitment, travel, engineering, manufacturing and charitable sectors.
Last month it became the Newcastle office of Kielder Observatory which offers unique star gazing experiences from its Northumberland headquarters at the heart of the largest Dark Sky Park in Europe. “Hoults Yard was in the right location and we needed something close to Newcastle,” said the observatory founder, Gary Fildes “The history of the yard coupled with the great atmosphere meant that it was a great choice for us.”
Within the Maling Exchange hub will be 40 customisable offices aimed at small businesses and move-on expanding firms. The suites will range from two to three person units up to large 1,000 sq ft offices. There is also a separate 10,500 sq ft unit called The Stables, made up of warehouse and industrial space and 3,500 sq ft of offices.
“Maling Exchange will become Newcastle’s most tech-enabled service centre and we are pleased to be marketing such a unique development,” explained Simon Taylor, head of Naylors’ office agency. “It will combine the features of an historic industrial building with the benefits of superfast broadband and excellent communal facilities to create stylish, high quality workspace.”
He added that in line with the neighbouring Hoults Yard facilities, the new complex will combine contemporary loft-style accommodation retaining original features such as exposed brickwork and beams, with the addition of modern features including a café, concierge reception, conference and meeting rooms, showers and kitchen facilities. There will also be round-the-clock security.
“The development will address a shortage of innovative work space for new and expanding firms within the rapidly growing creative and tech sectors of the North-East,” Taylor said. “There is very little commercial space like this on offer and it is already proving popular with a high level of inquiries coming in.”
Charlie Hoult is managing director of Hoults Yard. “Our key investment is in the technology,” he stressed. “Maling Exchange will be the best high-tech space the region has to offer. We are also creating a meeting room and events facility that will allow small firms to play big with customers and prospective clients.”
Picture: With a model of the original 1878-built Maling Pottery factory are (left to right) Sam Elliot, of Naylors, Hoults Yard managing director Charlie Hoult, and Naylors’ Simon Taylor.
Story: Cliff Goodwin
Photo: Naylors
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