A BUSINESS park is not only booming, but is also officially blooming according to judges in an annual environmental awards scheme.

The green credentials of Rainton Bridge Business Park, at Houghton-le-Spring, have been further enhanced following announcement of the Sunderland in Bloom Civic Awards.

Owned, developed and managed by global property group Goodman, Rainton Bridge shared top prize in the Commercial and Industrial category, with Doxford Business Park.

It is the fourth successive year it has landed the award, the second such accolade won by the expanding office complex in as many months, having earned a Gold classification at the recent Northumbria in Bloom Awards.

Goodman property services director, Richard Potter, said: “With more than 2,700 people now working at the park, and more expected to join with the recent expansion of Leighton Group on the site, we take enormous pride in maintaining our grounds to the highest possible standards to ensure it’s a welcoming place to work.

“To have been recognised with this award for the fourth successive year shows our investment in green spaces, and establishing sustainable habitats for animals and wildflowers, is of great importance to our local community."

Rainton Bridge is home to a wide range of large employers, including RWE, npower and UK Independent Medical Services.

Smaller units are also available to companies seeking to expand, with recent occupiers taking up space on site including Bowmer & Kirkland and SIG Combibloc.

Having been based at Rainton Bridge for three years, the Leighton Group (Leighton), recently extended its commitment to the site.

Leighton, the ‘parent’ of several connected IT, media and design companies, including SaleCycle, Workcast, MyWorld and Courage Creative, has signed a new five-year deal.

It will see it occupying the entire Chase House building, which will see its workforce grow from 150 to between 250 and 300.

Situated off the A690 dual carriageway, midway between Sunderland and Durham, the site has more than 400,000 sq ft of commercial property space, across seven buildings.

The latest phase comprises five buildings, totalling 106,000 sq ft, half of which is already let.