This year marks five years since I joined George Estates, and it’s been lovely to see first-hand how our commercial sites have evolved. Since I started in November 2020, lots has happened in the world and at the company. I started in between lockdowns when a lot of places were shut and normal life had been on pause. Looking back it feels like such a long time since we had to live in this odd way but that period did last for my first 1-2 years at George Estates. Despite this the sites have continued to grow and I’ve tried to have a think about some of the biggest changes that I can remember from my time here.

The Grainstore: Expansion Beyond Recognition

When joining, The Grainstore (our Blandford site) had only a handful of units completed, despite construction starting in 2017. Over the past few years, the site has grown significantly, developing into a large, multi-part commercial destination, including:

  • East Street, Storage, Workshops and Offices
  • West Street, Storage, Workshops and Offices
  • The Long Building (conversion into Storage, Workshops and Offices)
  • Tall Building – Self Storage, a dedicated fit out for professional indoor storage.
  • Tall Building – Commercial units, currently used for a laundrette, gym, takeaway.

It’s been so good to see a site go from very rundown and disused with a modest cluster of new units, to go on to grow into a substantial, bustling commercial site.

Priory Park: From Redevelopment to Full Completion

At Priory Park, the Coates building was nearing completion when I joined, with Coates J + K still in progress. Today, the site is fully complete, polished, and operational, being a strong example of how George Estates is always looking to improve and complete its development projects.

Priory Industrial Estate: Revitalising a Tired Site

A couple of years ago, George Estates expanded into the neighbouring Priory Industrial Estate, a site that required refurbishment and updates. Over time, dated units were modernised, and new tenants moved in, including:

  • Luella – a fashion brand
  • Car Care – a long-standing garage
  • Speedy Iron – a long standing laundrette
  • Screwfix – a national retailer

The estate has been transformed from a tired, underused site into a refreshed, thriving location!

Elcot Park: Consistent, Meaningful Improvements

Elcot Park has experienced a quieter, steady evolution. Over the years, units have been refreshed and reconfigured, render repairs completed, and new parking lines added. The site is also undergoing Gigaclear installation, bringing high-speed fibre internet to tenants.

With long-standing tenants alongside new businesses, Elcot Park demonstrates the ongoing care and attention we give to maintaining functional, modern, and appealing commercial spaces.

Kington Park: Meeting Demand and Maintaining Quality

Kington Park has also benefited from steady improvements. These include:

  • New CCTV installations enhancing security
  • Around 20 new containers added to meet tenant demand
  • Unit upgrades and facelifts
  • Maintenance landscape works keeping the site tidy and organised

The site continues to tick over reliably and is well regarded in Chippenham.

Looking Back and Forward

Over the past five years, it has been so nice to witness George Estates’ commercial sites grow, modernise, and thrive.

From The Grainstore to Priory Park, Priory Industrial Estate, Elcot Park, and Kington Park, the improvements speak for themselves. As George Estates continues to expand and enhance its sites, the future promises even more progress and development.

Get in touch today to find out what we have avaliable at The Grainstore, or to join our waiting list for upcoming spaces.

Email info@blandfordgrainstore.co.uk or call us on 01258 470550 – discover why the Grainstore continues to be one of Blandford Forum’s most exciting places to work and grow.

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