Former Aston Martin plant relaunched with a James Bond themed event

The former Aston Martin site on the edge of Banbury has been relaunched as a business park providing opportunities for local firms to expand and flourish, reports Banbury Today.

Aston Martin used the Vantage Business Park between Banbury and Bloxham to produce its prestigious Vantage and DB7 ranges. It moved production to Gaydon at the start of this year.

But now the land has been brought for more than £3.4 million by London-based Sapcote Developments which aims to provide an exciting opportunity for firms in the area.

James Miller, a director at Sapcote Developments, said: "The chance to create a business park in this delightful and historic location has been a real privilege, and we are actively hunting for similar opportunities in the region.

"Because the site will house a number of companies there may actually be more jobs on the site than there were before.

"This also provides an opportunity for local companies to expand without having to leave the area – it is very rare for units to become available in an area like this and hopefully it will help keep businesses in the area which otherwise may have been forced to move."

The plans for the site were launched on Tuesday with a James Bond-themed event paying homage to the role of Aston Martin's cars in the famous 007 films.

The 17-acre site will be broken up into units varying in size from 700 to 40,000sq ft and sold on a freehold basis for prices starting at £87,500.

The grounds include converted stone barns and farmhouses along with more modern units.

Light industry and office-based businesses are expected to be the key sectors which will occupy the site.

Working with agent Berry Morris, Sapcote Developments has already sold about 60 per cent of the units with several Banbury companies, including printers Banbury Litho, taking the opportunity to expand.

Mr Miller said: "We are constantly expanding our portfolio and when a site like this becomes available it is a great opportunity.

"It is in a super rural location but it also has great transport links.

"We have worked on a lot of projects and have experience in this area. We are very pleased at this acquisition and are delighted at the way it has progressed so far."

Clive Thompson, associate partner at Berry Morris, said: "It is great news for the area –
Aston Martin moved to Gaydon without having to cut jobs and as a result an opportunity for local companies to expand has come about.

"Because Aston Martin was a prestige company which took pride in the site buyers know they are moving into a quality development.

"The interest that has already been shown in the site demonstrates the demand for this kind of development in the area."

Sapcote Developments has been responsible for a number of commercial and industrial regeneration schemes in the past.

It has substantial holdings in and around London and is currently concentrating its acquisition policy on Oxfordshire and the Midlands.

Thanks to `Tania` for the alert.

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