A BUSINESS park is defying the recession by attracting more companies to the area.

Owners of the Littlecombe Business Park, in Dursley, St Modwen say the site has been a big success with seven of the 16 units already in use and a further three under offer.

One of the success stories of the business park is Chris Tallis Farm Machinery, which moved onto the site at the start of the year but had its official opening last week.

The Evesham-based company sells and services agricultural and general machinery and equipment and the Dursley depot includes two separate units for repairs and general store.

Since moving onto the site Chris Tallis has seen its sales grow rapidly and they estimate that the Dursley depot serves around 25 percent of the business’s total UK operations.

Managing director, Ben Tallis, said: "Our decision to open an outlet at Littlecombe Business Park with St. Modwen was partly based on the park’s strategic location in Gloucestershire, which enables us to serve a wider network of clients, from Tetbury to Bristol and as far as The Severn Vale.

"The new depot offers over a third of our customers easier access to our services and products.

"Since opening the outlet, business has grown rapidly, but there are still customers who are unaware of our presence in Dursley. The open day was an opportunity for existing and prospective clients to visit the store, meet the team and see what services we have on offer."

The business park, which forms part of the Littlcombe development that will eventually have 600 homes and community facilities, comprises 16 units ranging in size from 1,000 sq ft to 6,400sq and will eventually become the new home for the Lister Petter factory.

Rupert Joseland, St. Modwen’s South West regional director said: "We are delighted to see how Chris Tallis is continuing to grow and thrive despite economic challenges. We currently have seven units sold on site with three further units currently under offer and there are six further units available for purchase on long-term lease or short-term rental basis.

"We expect these business units to create around 50 jobs once all units are occupied, which signals a positive employment boost for the local economy. The employment opportunities in Dursley will further increase as we build out the additional commercial accommodation as part of the wider regeneration of the area and which we expect to create over 1,000 new jobs."