The first tenant at Watford’s Trade City industrial park has been announced as work on the project nears completion.

Trade City is the first phase of the £350m Watford Riverwell scheme to be completed.

Formerly known as the Health Campus project, the scheme led by Watford Borough Council and developer Kier Property aims to transform 29 acres of land near Watford General Hospital over a 15 to 20 year period, providing 500 homes across two estates, as well as a 250-bed “care community”, a new primary school, and space for the hospital to expand into.

Work on Trade City began in August last year and reached “practical completion” last week.

The first tenant – Screwfix – has now been secured and will commence fitting out its unit shortly.

Watford Observer:

The 6,448 sq ft unit is expected to open in September, while offers have already been tendered for several of the remaining 11 units.

The new “industrial hub” totals 12 industrial units with a combined floor area of more than 70,000 sq ft.

The scheme offers on-site parking, landscaping, fully fitted office accommodation and the option to combine units.

Kier Property’s Pip Prongué said: “The completion of Trade City Watford has been a great success for the joint venture and builds on the success of the Trade City brand. 

“Securing Screwfix as the anchor tenant just one week after practical completion is a fantastic achievement.”