AN EXPANDING Hampshire pump and plant hire firm has opened new purpose-built premises near Verwood.

Selwood’s Bournemouth plant hire branch has moved just yards from its former site of 16 years on Woolsbridge Industrial Estate at Three Legged Cross.

Thirteen staff are based in the new premises, which will provide plant hire services across the region and includes a large yard.

Founded in 1946, Selwood which has its HQ in Chandler’s Ford, has grown to become the UK’s leader in pump rental and is known globally for its pump products.

Selwood, which employs more than 600 people, signed a 15-year lease on the one-acre site which has a high-quality warehouse and fitted offices.

Ankers & Rawlings, a family-owned and run property developer near Ferndown in East Dorset, owns the site.

Selwood’s previous lease on the same estate was due to expire and the building had become too small due to the company’s expansion plans.

Commercial property consultancy Vail Williams advised Selwood.

Russell Miller, a partner at Vail Williams’ Solent region, said: “Selwood was keen to remain on the Woolsbridge Industrial Estate because of its strategic location near to a good road network and close to Ringwood, Ferndown, Wimborne and the north of Bournemouth. Given the limited availability of existing suitable buildings, the most viable option was development led and we therefore sought competitive proposals from developers for a new build.”

Tim Vincent, Selwood’s commercial property manager, said: “We are excited to be starting the New Year in these superb purpose-built premises.”