THE first occupier at the £120 million of Worcester Six business park has been secured by property developer Stoford Developments.

A new 140,000 sq ft business unit is to be built after Kimal PLC agreed to locate its new headquarters at the prestigious site, located just off junction six of the M5 at Warndon.

The development will provide 1.5 million sq ft of accommodation, employing 5,000 people.

Kimal develop and manufacturing a range of innovative products and procedural solutions for the healthcare sector, and have agreed a 15-year lease for the £13 million unit.

A planning application will be submitted to Worcestershire County Council and if planners give the site the green light, construction could begin in October with work being completed by mid 2018.

The new headquarters demonstrate Kimal’s determination to remain in Worcestershire, having outgrown its existing accommodation at Droitwich and Redditch, with staff moving across to this new site, and an additional 100 jobs being created.

The company will continue to operate at other sites including in Bromsgrove.

Kimal is investing £3 million in an initial fit out phase, with a further £3 million investment in facilities in the pipeline.

Alan Press, chief executive at Kimal, said: “The move to Worcester Six demonstrates our continued commitment to the area which we first invested into in 1990 and will help Kimal realise its exciting growth plans going forward.”

Worcestershire County Council cabinet member with responsibility for economy and infrastructure Dr Ken Pollock said: “Kimal is a very successful family owned business with a proud history of manufacturing in Worcestershire.

"Welcoming a company of this calibre to Worcester Six enhances the region’s reputation as a world-class business location."

Stoford director Gerard Ludlow said: “The agreement with Kimal marks a significant milestone as it is the first pre-let occupier to be secured at the site.

“Worcester Six business park has been selected as the preferred site for Kimal’s new facility due to its excellent communications and proximity to its existing employee base.

"It represents a major commitment by Kimal to the Worcestershire area. The business is a key employer in a prestigious sector."