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Some 30 years ago the shadow of the steelworks closure loomed over Corby, a devastating blow that many thought would mean the death of the town says commercial property agent prop-search. However, the town fought back and today is a thriving centre of business with new developments that will take the town forward.
Corby is again being transformed thanks to a visionary programme of new developments that will see the town's population double in size to 100,000 in the next 30 years and create thousands of new jobs in the process.
Investment in such projects as the Corby Enterprise Centre mean the future of the town is being planned for with local businesses now having the facilities to establish themselves and grow. Work began in December 2009 on this new £8.3m hub targeted which has just been completed on the site of Priors Hall Park, the major new community taking shape to the north-east of the town - opposite the £30m Corby Business Academy.
The Enterprise Centre provides some 32,000 sq ft of flexible office and studio/workshop space for new enterprise and business start-ups in the area - employing between two and 25 people. Funding for the project in the main came from the East Midlands Development Agency contributing nearly £6.5 million to the scheme, which includes £1 million from Northamptonshire Enterprise Limited with the balance of the cash from Corby Borough Council and the European Regional Development Fund.
It is understood that eight businesses have now taken occupation within the scheme, taking advantage of its 24/7 access, free car parking and high speed communications. These include Best Lets, Multipond, Altus UK, Merritt & Baker.
International companies alike continue to be attracted by the highly skilled and productive workforce Corby has to offer joining an impressive roll call of major employers in the area that includes Aquascutum, Fairline Boats, Oxford University Press, Roquette, and Argos.
The American company Amy’s Kitchen is the latest set to move into the town. The leading natural frozen food brand is currently fitting out its new factory on the Oakley Hay Industrial Estate in Corby, from which to service its existing UK customer such as Holland & Barrett, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Planet Organic and Fresh & Wild. The opening of the facility is initially expected to create around 30 new jobs, although this could grow considerably as sales in the UK develop.
Over the last two and a half years the striking structure of the new Corby Cube has risen from the ground and now stands as an iconic building which has changed the town’s skyline for good. The centre opened for business at the end of 2010 and as well as being a new civic building is a new centre for the public - offering a theatre and public library. This scheme has also led to job creation.
A blockbuster of a battle has been launched to bring the big screen to Corby. Two multi-million pound plans have been unveiled by developers who want to bring a cinema to the town as part of a major leisure development. In one corner Land Securities, the company behind Willow Place Shopping Centre, is proposing to build a seven-screen cinema, supermarket, residential properties, a hotel, restaurants and 1,200 car parking spaces on the site of Crown House. Whilst Mulberry Developments is working with Corby Council on delivering a six-screen cinema - to be operated by Odeon - two restaurants, car parking and potentially a pub and hotel on the Tresham College campus in George Street.
Land Securities is also battling against Greatline Development over proposals for a new superstore - rumoured to be linked with Tesco. Greatline Developments has submitted plans for a 120,000 sq ft out-of-town food superstore, petrol filling station with car wash facility and 780 parking spaces on the former St James Industrial Estate, whilst Land Securities is looking at development on the site around Crown House in conjunction with its mixed use cinema proposal. Greatline Developments has already made an application for planning and it is understood that Land Securities will be making a planning application for its superstore scheme in the Spring.
Land Securities has had further success at its Willow Place shopping scheme. During 2010 it successfully signed up H&M, Hawkins Bazaar and Burger King to sit alongside existing retail giants such as Primark, TK Maxx and River Island. At the end of 2010, Internacionale also opened a store in Corporation Street – selling clothes for women and teenagers, as well as shoes, handbags, accessories, cosmetics and perfumes.
It would appear that going forward Corby remains focused on regeneration and job creation - both in town centre and out-of-town locations. It has come to be seen as the place to invest by private companies, the existing residents and new incomers. No longer is it seen as the pariah in Northamptonshire, but it has a positive outlook competing on an equal footing with neighbouring towns.