EIGHT business starter units for small enterprises have been completed at a new North Yorkshire industrial park.

The new units, ranging from 1,000 sq ft to 2,500 sq ft at Canalside Business Park, Ripon, have been completed by Thirsk-based integrated design build company, Severfield-Reeve Projects.

Property consultants FPD Savills, York, which is marketing the units, says there is "overwhelming" interest in the new buildings on the 11-acre business park, the first significant new industrial base in Ripon for 20 years.

Severfield-Reeve Projects has designed and built the units, as well as constructing the estate roads and infrastructure for the developer, Canalside Developments (Yorkshire) Ltd, after being a driving force behind the development of Dalton Airfield Industrial Estate, Thirsk, and Thirsk Industrial Park.

The starter units are in a range of sizes including 2,500 sq ft, 2,000 sq ft, 1,300 sq ft and 1,000 sq ft. Each is provided with insulated cladding, cavity brickwork, internal concrete floor, double-glazing and insulated goods access doors.

Matthew Tootell, an associate with FPD Savills, who is handling the leasing of the units, said: "There is already overwhelming interest in the business park and the new starter units.

"Severfield-Reeve Projects is doing a great job. The new business park will provide a fantastic opportunity for existing Ripon or new businesses instead of having to relocate from Ripon to areas such as York or Harrogate."

Updated: 13:22 Tuesday, April 27, 2004