£30M Toy story is the latest chapter in FWP’s Mill Farm Masterplan

The latest multi-million-pound phase of the ambitious Mill Farm masterplan on the outskirts of Kirkham in Lancashire is nearing completion.

Toy manufacturer HTI Group is creating its new £30million headquarters and manufacturing and logistics facility on the Sports Village site as part of its major expansion plans.

It is the latest addition to the 31-acre mixed-use development at Wesham, which has grown to be an important contributor the local economy since the plan was first unveiled by leading architecture, design and masterplanning practice FWP 15 years ago.

Since that time Mill Farm has created 186 full-time equivalent jobs as well as hundreds of direct construction roles, with the development, which is expected to add around £14m to the region’s economy annually once completed.

This latest 160,000 sq ft facility for HTI will create 186 full-time equivalent jobs and will add around £14m to the region’s economy annually once fully operational. It includes offices and a showroom.

The award-winning Mill Farm Sports Village is home to ambitious non-league football club AFC Fylde. The 6,000-capacity stadium was the first piece in the Mill Farm jigsaw.

The stadium and its Premier League standard facilities were delivered from concept to completion by FWP’s specialist sports multi-disciplinary team.

It was also involved in this latest phase of the development, acting as architects, project managers and quantity surveyors on the HTI Group project up to the planning consent stage.

FWP has been involved in Mill Farm from day one – working with the club owner David Haythornthwaite, both to shape the plans for the mixed-use development and to create a special home for the football team and its supporters.

FWP, which has offices in Preston, Manchester and London, worked closely with the club throughout the process to create a vibrant and modern sporting venue that is seen as a real asset to the local community and its economy.

AFC’s Fylde’s home includes a 290-capacity sports bar, a 70-seater Italian restaurant with an ‘al fresco’ roof terrace, a café, large conference and event facilities and a five-star hotel.

FWP’s masterplan has seen an Aldi supermarket open on the site, which sits just off junction three of the M55, along with a 24-hour EG on the Move petrol station integrating a convenience store, and a host of well-known fast-food outlets.

Mill Farm is also home the Fylde Sports and Education Centre, which as well as being the base for the local hockey club, has as six and seven-a-side and two full size 3G pitches.

And leading animal health and equestrian products wholesaler Trilanco operates from a purpose-built facility on the site. Its distribution centre and offices occupy six-acres and boasts a 110,000 sq ft warehouse.

David Robinson, FWP managing partner, said: “We’re very proud of the part we’ve played in the Mill Farm Sports Village journey over the past 15 years. It has had a huge economic impact on the area and continues to deliver jobs.

“From the original concept to the vibrant mixed-used development you see today, we’ve worked with David Haythornthwaite and his team to create a real destination venue for sport, leisure and entertainment as well as high-quality logistics and manufacturing operations.

“The HTI Group’s impressive new facility is the latest piece in the Mill Farm jigsaw, bringing one of the UK’s largest independently owned designers and manufacturers of children’s toys to the area. It is a major coup for Mill Farm and its team.”

More chapters in the Mill Farm story await. FWP’s masterplan includes a hotel on the site as well as the redevelopment of the original farm.

Founded in Preston in 1960, today FWP is involved in a host of multi-million-pound sports, leisure, health and cultural projects for a range of clients.

Its work covers all aspects of construction, from cost management to architecture and masterplanning services. It also has offices in Manchester and London and has grown into a creative force with a national reputation for excellence.

FWP’s strategic advice and design expertise has benefited a host of football clubs, including ambitious non-league sides such as AFC Fylde, Hastings United and FC United of Manchester.

It spearheaded the acclaimed regeneration of Preston North End’s Deepdale home and designed and delivered EFL club Fleetwood Town’s Highbury Stadium.

Away from football, FWP’s award-winning team was behind the highly-acclaimed redevelopment of Doncaster Racecourse, home of the St Leger – one of Britain’s five classic horse races and it was also involved in work to improve facilities at York racecourse.