THE next phase of the £150million Southend Airport Business Park has been unveiled.

The Quad will have 12 new high-end industrial units ready for businesses to move into from 2022.

It’s the latest phase of the 52-acre site off Cherry Orchard Way in Rochford. Building is due to start on the units ranging from 4,000 to 10,000 sq ft in about four months.

Thousands of new jobs are expected to be created as more business are attracted to the site. It will include cafes, restaurants, meeting and leisure facilities and even a hotel.

Mike Gray, managing director of joint marketing agents Dedman Gray, said “Interest has already been received from various business uses including distribution companies to light industrial firms.

“There are number of local business considering a move to the Quad and with interest being shown as far away from east London and throughout south east Essex.”

The new units follow the construction of the first large industrial unit on the site now occupied by aircraft seating manufacturer Ipeco Holdings and construction of the three-storey Launchpad, a dedicated building to support start-ups and small to medium businesses.

Colin Herman from property agents Kemsley LLP added: “The units are available upon pre-sale terms and larger units could be made available by combining units together.

“We are expecting a strong uptake on these new units.”

Developer HBD has been working in partnership with Southend Council on the scheme.

Harry Bunbury, director at HBD, said: “We have seen a lot of interest in the new units at the Quad and across the wider scheme, which is progressing quickly - there is a shortage of high-quality industrial stock in the market so it’s positive to be able to fill that gap and provide businesses with the space to expand, contribute to job creation and drive new investment.”

Kevin Robinson, councillor responsible for business, culture and tourism, said: “I am delighted to hear that there has been such a high level of interest in this development and also the wider business park. In these challenging economic times this interest really highlights the role the Airport Business Park can play in driving economic recovery in Southend.

“With our partners at Henry Boot we’ll continue to proactively market the business park and the new Quad development so that we can continue to welcome new businesses and jobs to the area in the coming months and years.”