In a welcome New Year boost for visitors, local residents and potentially employment, one of the world’s leading international food retail chains has agreed to lease a unit at the Onyx Retail Park from the South Yorkshire site’s owners Onward Holdings Ltd.

SPAR is the latest recognised brand to move to the thriving site built on the former Manvers colliery at Wath-Upon-Dearne, mid-way between Barnsley and Rotherham, which only opened for business just over a year ago. The grocery chain is signing up for one of the new units released by Onward Holdings as part of the second phase of its expansion programme for the site.

Phase 2 at Onyx Retail Park

The decision by SPAR to locate on the Onyx Retail Park has enabled Onward Holdings to bring forward Phase 2, which was originally not planned to take place until later in the year. Phase 2 comprises 10,000 square feet.

SPAR is leasing 4,000 square feet from Onward Holdings for its new store, leaving the remaining units in Phase 2 available for lease in a range of configurations from 1,000 to 6,000 square feet. The last remaining unit in Phase 1 is now under offer.

Take-up of units has been much higher than originally anticipated thanks to both the sensible lease terms on offer and the site’s proximity to a large number of consumers. Adjacent to 1,150 homes the Onyx Retail Park is also surrounded by industrial development and outdoor leisure facilities, giving rise to an impressive 18,000 passing vehicle movements per day on the A633, according to figures provided by Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council.

Unlike many new opportunities that come onto the market, it is of little doubt that this high volume of passing trade and the subsequent footfall it creates will provide an initial strong customer base from which to build, making it an ideal location for a wide range of prospective businesses.

SPAR Joins Other Big Brands

Onyx has an excellent track record in attracting a cross-section of major high street names like SPAR, the UK’s leading convenience store group. It joins food takeaway chains Domino’s Pizza and Subway, as well as Motor World, the UK’s largest independent car parts and car accessories retailer, while KFC and Costa Coffee are both trading immediately adjacent to the retail park.

In full the Onyx Retail Park comprises 17,500 square feet of retail space and holds a cross-section of planning consent including A1 (retail), A2 (financial), A3 (food) and A5 (hot food to take away).

Promotion of the site is handled by Andrew Miller Chartered Surveyors of Sheffield. Businesses can enjoy a variety of sensible lease terms starting from five years upwards with realistic rentals from £15 per square foot.

“I am confident the presence of a major grocery chain such as SPAR on the Onyx Retail Park will further increase the footfall to the site and make it even more attractive to other retailers looking for a new location,” said Mr Miller.

For further information please contact Andrew Miller Chartered Surveyors on 0114 236 2340.