Pets Corner reveals new £9m headquarters plan
 |
This is the first image of the £9 million state-of-the-art offices Pets Corner want to build off the A23. The regional distribution centre and business park is being proposed near Hickstead in Sussex.
Pets Corner, which was founded in Haywards Heath and has offices in Brighton and Crawley, wants to build a new HQ that will be at the forefront of environmental sustainability and bring more than 100 staff under one roof.
The expanding firm is desperate to buy the freehold – but could relocate outside Sussex if permission is refused.
Leading Sussex brewer Dark Star is also keen to take on freehold space at the site, but could also be forced to leave the county if the proposals do not go ahead.
It is feared Mid Sussex District Council could reject the application because it is too far from the commercial cluster of Burgess Hill and would be considered a blight on the countryside.
Dean Richmond, managing director of Pets Corner, said: “We want to be as green as possible and build something that is going to represent that. "People work with us because they care about animal welfare and sustainability is also something I care about passionately.
“Because we want to build that type of building we need more than just a tin box, we need the freehold.
“Hickstead works well for us and brings all our operations together under one roof. It will be accessible for staff in Brighton and Crawley so no-one will have to leave the company."
Pets Corner is opening 18 new stores this year and by the time the centre is built in two years' time its workforce could have expanded significantly.
An agent for the developer estimates the outline scheme at Northlands Farm would generate 200 to 325 construction jobs over two years, 775 to 995 jobs when finished and add £16 million to the local economy.
The centre would create up to £2 million in business rates with £1 million to be retained by Mid Sussex District Council.
The site is not within the national park, green belt or area of outstanding beauty, and already has permission for large-scale agricultural warehousing.
Some 17 businesses have already enquired about freehold opportunities.
|
|
