Peel Ports Group has announced plans for a commercial development at Birkenhead Docks, in collaboration with specialist manufacturer, Finsa UK.
The joint venture, worth more than £12million, will see the creation of contemporary logistics space at a new quayside terminal on the West Float, which will encourage further investment into the local area.
Plans for the 6.5-acre development will facilitate Finsa UK’s business growth and enable it to centralise its UK operations to the site, creating a new headquarters for the firm.
The project will facilitate the next stage of business growth for Finsa UK keeping all the existing jobs in the area as well as generating many indirect jobs and apprenticeship opportunities for local young people.
Work is expected to commence on site in the very near future, with the programme of work estimated to be complete within two to three years.
Sustainability will form a large part of the plans, with Finsa UK planning to put several environmental systems in place to support the local green economy, including using sustainable timber, reusing rainwater and electric machinery as opposed to diesel.
The agreement came off the back of a long-standing relationship between Peel Ports and Finsa UK, with the manufacturer being a loyal partner of the port operator for more than 25 years.
Andrew Martin, Group Land and Property Director at Peel Ports said: “Finsa UK has been a greatly valued customer of Peel Ports for more than three decades, and we are thrilled to help support the next phase of their business growth at such an exciting time for the company”
“This project will create contemporary, high-specification logistics space that will support their ambitious expansion plans and drive international investment in the local area. A special thanks to the team for their support with this scheme, as well their commitment to investing in Birkenhead and its residents. We look forward to working with the team in partnership for many years.”
Rafael Willisch, Managing Director at Finsa UK, said: “ We have been operating from Birkenhead Port for more than thirty years and this investment will secure our presence in Wirral for the future.
We thank Peel Ports and Wirral Council for the support in the development of this project which will allow us to continue our growth, securing existing jobs and creating new ones”.
Chair of Wirral Council’s Economy, Regeneration and Housing Committee, Cllr Tony Jones said:
“This is an exciting time for the borough and Wirral Waters is one of the key sites in the LeftBank which is seeing real progress in the massive programme of regeneration we have underway. Finsa UK is a much-valued company which has been based in and investing in Wirral for several decades and I’m pleased to see them make this commitment to remaining in the borough, and particularly within the Freeport area. Subject to their proposed development obtaining the necessary permissions I look forward to Finsa being in Wirral for many more years to come.”