A BARNSLEY industrial estate is now fully let after attracting two new occupiers.

Interchange 38 at Darton welcomed Phoenox Textiles, which has been in the textile manufacturing business for seven decades and was founded in 1954, joining the UK’s leading re-distributor of surplus products, Company Shop Group.

The vacant space was split back to two units to offer suitable, modern space for both thriving firms at the development totalling nearly 400,000sq ft.

Phoenox, which currently employs 150 staff, has taken a new ten-year lease on 64,855sq ft after investing in manufacturing and finishing elements of the business, and has moved into collaborations for its popular floor coverings which include brands such as Hug Rug, My Mat, Origin and Howler and Scratch.

Charles Mosley, Phoenox’s managing director, said: “Our original site has served us well but an increase in demand for our products, plus improvements in manufacturing and processes means we need a more modern base with the associated technology for our latest requirements.

“It was also important that we had good transport links so our staff can easily access the new site.

“A new cutting and finishing functions will move to Interchange 38 and products will be distributed from there.

“Our original site is vast but due to its historic nature offers limitations on our push to become even more sustainable.

“This modern unit gives us the ability to do that.”

Chris Burns, group managing director of Company Shop Group, added: “In five years we have doubled the amount of frozen surplus we handle and this new redistribution centre is a major investment for the future, bringing significantly increased operational capacity.

“By bringing our frozen operations in-house, we will be better positioned to support our industry partners, creating a more efficient system and a platform for continued investment in our product interventions, which helps stop even more perfectly good products from going to waste.

“The new frozen redistribution centre reinforces our unique ability to redistribute frozen surplus at a very large scale from this central location which was key for us, and near our existing base.

“This brings significant benefits, including the opportunity to introduce new product interventions to provide even more support to our partners and redistribute more stock.”