British business park developer Arlington is planning to expand its operations outside the UK. The Republic of Ireland and France are top of the list for potential 100,000 m2 developments, which would be constructed partly or wholly on a speculative basis.
“We want to look for one-off opportunities, and that will have to be with a partner,” said managing director Patrick Deigman. Partners could come from Arlington’s client list, which includes multi-nationals like GEC.
Possible sites have already been identified in Ireland and France. “The French market has recently hit rock bottom, so now is a good time to move in,” said Deigman. Arlington’s criteria for business parks across Europe are the same as those in the UK: an out-of-town or edge-of-town site, capable of providing between 50,000 m2 and 200,000 m2 of business space, near a major regional centre.
The move into Europe is one result of a comprehensive restructuring of the company, which could include a management buy-out from its parent company, British Aerospace.
Arlington has tackled the continent before. In 1989, the company secured an option on an 80ha site in Calais, where it planned a business park and shopping centre. But concerns about demand for office space in that location meant that the scheme was abandoned.
Deigman said Arlington would be cautious in its approach. “We are not desperate to go into Europe and buy things just to register a presence. If we cannot add value to a scheme, we won’t do it.”
