Community equipment provider finds space to grow as Evolve’s first occupier

The UK’s leading provider of community equipment loan services has become the first occupier of a new development within the fast-growing Melton West business park in East Yorkshire.

Medequip has begun operating a new depot in the first unit to be completed at the £10m Evolve @ Melton West development – the latest phase of growth at Melton West.

Evolve aims to address a shortage of high-quality, modern commercial spaces for growing businesses looking to invest within the region.  

The development has provided Medequip with a high-quality facility, built to the latest standards and with strong sustainability credentials, at the heart of the region’s road network, to enable the business to expand into East Yorkshire.

The business, which has 27 depots across the country, and services 48 local authority areas in partnership with each council’s social care services and the NHS, is expanding into the region for the first time after being awarded a contract to deliver the Community Equipment Loan Service for the East Riding of Yorkshire and Hull.

The new service will help to enhance the quality of life and independence for tens of thousands of children, young people and adults with care and support needs in the region, including those with temporary, permanent or life-limiting conditions.

Medequip has more than 30 years of experience supplying, maintaining, collecting, cleaning and recycling community equipment. The company is bringing a team of existing colleagues to Evolve to deliver the new contract and will also be creating a number of new positions at the new depot.

Developed by leading Yorkshire property development and investment business Wykeland Group, Evolve comprises 85,000 sq ft of prime commercial space in one of the region’s most sought-after business locations.

Part of the wider Melton West site, west of Hull, the development boasts excellent transport links via the A63, and features two larger units of 37,000 sq ft and 22,900 sq ft, with Medequip occupying the latter, and a terrace of five smaller units of 5,000 sq ft.

Following Medequip beginning operations, the other units are now approaching completion and will soon be available for occupation.

The latest letting at Melton West adds to the continuing growth of the business park, with Medequip joining the likes of blue chip companies Amazon, Heron Foods and shower maker Kohler Mira on site.

Wykeland Development Director Jonathan Stubbs said: “We knew there was a gap in the region for high-quality, modern commercial space for growing businesses and that has been validated by the levels of interest we have received in Evolve.

“We’re delighted to welcome Medequip as the first occupier and to have provided a modern, fit-for-purpose space which enables their expansion into East Yorkshire.

“We’ve worked closely with the business to adapt the construction plan on site and bring forward the completion of Medequip’s unit to ensure they were moved in ahead of their contract start date.

“With Medequip now operational, Evolve has started to deliver on our vision for this speculative development. We look forward to welcoming more businesses to Evolve in the near future.”

Medequip General Manager Steve Smith said: “We selected the Evolve site for our new East Riding and Hull Community Equipment Loan Service because it provides a modern, high-quality facility with excellent transport links – essential for the efficient delivery of community equipment.

“Its strong sustainability credentials, including rooftop solar panels and electric vehicle charging infrastructure, also align with our carbon reduction commitments.”

As well as offering attractive, modern workplaces, and excellent transport links, Evolve boasts outstanding sustainability credentials. All units at the development will be EPC A-rated, with rooftop solar panels, green living walls and electric vehicle charging infrastructure.

The development of Evolve was supported by grant funding from East Riding of Yorkshire Council, to help boost economic growth in the region.

Austin Lillico, Infrastructure and External Funding Project Manager at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “The Invest East Yorkshire Team at East Riding of Yorkshire Council offers a range of support to help businesses develop and grow, from start-ups to large scale investors.   

“The economic benefits derived from providing grant funding to enable developments such as Evolve to come to fruition are of real value, especially as we now see the first occupiers moving into their new premises.”