Springing Forward: The 75-Year Journey of Windrush Estate from Smith’s Industries to Innovation Hub
As we spring into March, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the remarkable transformation of the Windrush Industrial Estate over the past 75 years. In the 1950s, Smith’s Industries, known for producing car heaters, established themselves on the Windrush Industrial Estate. They used what is now the Witney Business and Innovation Centre as their head office for administrative tasks.
Smith’s Industries was once a major hub in Witney, providing hundreds of jobs to the local community. They even built a housing estate, known as ‘Smiths Estate,’ to accommodate their workers, fostering a close-knit community around the industrial site.
Fast forward to today, the Witney Business and Innovation Centre has been managed by Oxford Innovation Space for nearly 12 years, having taken over the empty space around 2012. The estate, originally owned by Blenheim, is now asset managed by Canmoor, a leading private commercial property business specialising in the warehouse and business space sectors.
Canmoor are actively developing the Windrush Estate, which comprises 36 industrial units extending over 28 acres, with an additional 5 acres of land offering development opportunities. Their plans include modernising the Witney Business and Innovation Centre to better support start-up businesses, established companies, and entrepreneurs. This includes high-specification new units with fitted offices, staff welfare facilities. The estate benefits from its strategic location within the commercial centre of West Oxfordshire, with close access to major motorways and the Oxford Life Sciences Cluster.
Our mission is to continue offering spaces where businesses can thrive by providing modern facilities and fostering a culture of innovation, we aim to support the growth and success of the local business community.
The transformation of the Windrush Industrial Estate is a shining example of how spaces can adapt and thrive over time. From its roots with Smith’s Industries to its current status as a hub of innovation, the estate continues to spring forward, embracing new opportunities and fostering a culture of creativity and enterprise.
20240919 Copyright James Robinson
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