IT is a busy time at The Heath in Runcorn where new-build and major refurbishment programmes continue to reshape and enhance the business and technical park.

SOG Group, The Heath’s owner and operator, has secured a contract to construct a new building for Mexichem Fluor, part of Mexichem Group. The company is a global chemical business supplying fluorine-based products, technologies and services to a wide range of industries including pharmaceuticals, automotive, specialist polymers, refrigeration and air-conditioning.

Mexichem has been operating at The Heath since 2010 where it has a research and development facility. The new building will provide much-needed office space for its expanding operation.

SOG also plans to refurbish another of its buildings for a new customer due to move on to the park next year.

John Lewis, SOG’s managing director, said: “New buildings offer businesses the opportunity to reinforce their brand identity away from shared buildings while still being able to access all of The Heath’s communal facilities such as restaurant, conference and meeting rooms, and leisure suite.

"It has been an immensely busy year for us. We’ve seen a steep rise in enquiries for space over recent months, particularly from start-ups and SME businesses.”

Meanwhile SOG continues to develop community facilities at The Heath that can be accessed by neighbouring residents as well as the businesses located at the site. SOG has created a new flood-lit 3G synthetic five-a-side football pitch that will complement The Heath’s leisure suite and gymnasium.

The pitch officially opened on Friday with a charity football match in aid of charity Stick n Step.

Mr Lewis added: “The Heath is more than a location for businesses. Our ethos has always been to open our leisure facilities to the entire local community. Over the festive period we have a number of functions taking place. These include a Christmas Lunch on December 19 and a Christmas Party on December 7. From December 3 to 7 we have a Christmas market with a variety of stalls where shoppers can purchase hand-made crafts, beauty products, jewellery and books.”