THE second phase of a massive project to redevelop the former Ford factory on the outskirts of Southampton has moved up a gear.

Denise Edghill, director of Growth at Southampton City Council visited Mountpark Southampton to celebrate the launch of phase two.

When fully let, the park is expected offer 562,074 sq ft of business space and bring around 1,200 jobs to the city.

Mountpark acquired the Swaythling site in 2015, following the closure of the Ford Transit van production plant.

The company started construction work in 2017 and by the time the first phase reached practical completion in November 2017, Mountpark had let all three units – 47,250 sq ft, 60,000 sq ft and 100,660 sq ft – to Murray Health & Beauty, Berendsen and CooperVision.

The second phase of four buildings totalling 346,620 sq ft is now complete and Mountpark, and as reported, has already let a 107,392 sq ft unit to PFSweb centre. PFS which run websites and mail order for other big names firms say their Southa pton hub coud create 200new jobs when runnign at full capacity.

“It was fantastic to see the practical completion at Mountpark Southampton,” said Denise Edghill. “The demand for high quality warehouse and distribution facilities in Southampton is very strong and Mountpark has a clear understanding of the importance to occupiers of providing a high quality working environment to support employee wellbeing and productivity.

“Following the closure of the Ford Transit plant, Southampton City Council was determined to retain the site for employment use and formed a positive working relationship with Mountpark to understand the needs of the market and to create over 1,000 jobs on the site.

“It’s excellent to see phase 1 fully let, and the first letting of the largest of the phase 2 units to PFSWeb, is testimony to how strong the interest is in these units. We look forward to welcoming the new occupiers to Southampton.”

“Mountpark Southampton is our first development in the city and we are delighted that it is attracting occupiers and employment opportunities to Swaythling,” said Tom Kilmister, Development Director, Mountpark UK & Ireland. “This site has played an important role in Southampton’s industrial history and it is now part of the city’s future.”

The Historic Army Aircraft Flight Trust was represented at the event because the site was used for aircraft assembly during the Second World War.