An industrial estate in Chickerell has finally been completed.

The final unit of Link Park was erected by DJ Property last week marking the end of the company’s seven-year project.

There are now 26 businesses operating from units on the site, including a supermarket and drive-through Starbucks coffee shop.

Mickey Jones, Chief Executive of DJ Property, said: “It’s been a really special opportunity for me because I’ve managed the project from start to finish; I found the piece of land, bought it, secured planning consent, built the units and found the customers.

“The quality of what we have built is fantastic, all the customers are really happy. There is a good mix of well-known brands like Starbucks and Aldi and local businesses using the units. It works for everyone.”

DJ Property has invested around £15m in converting the land and building the industrial units.

Mr Jones said the demand has been ‘incredible’, he explained: “If people want more you give them more before they go somewhere else. I’ve had to move quicker to satisfy the demand.”

Mr Jones added: “A lot of jobs have been created by businesses joining the site. We are talking about dozens and dozens of jobs.

“A lot of businesses that have moved into Link Park are also new to South Dorset and are helping to provide a cash injection into the area. We want to encourage investment in South Dorset and we want to encourage the provision of new jobs, that will help to improve the local economy.

“It’s proved to be a great location. I think the reason Link Park works so well is because it’s on the Chickerell Link Road and Chickerell Road, so you have two main roads which move back onto the Weymouth conurbation. The other advantage of Link Park is that it’s on the cycle network.”

Mr Jones said his next project will be to complete the redevelopment of the former Sharky’s building in Custom House Quay.

He said the building will partly be redeveloped into luxury apartments while the ground floor is converted into a high-end restaurant.

He said: “Weymouth is gaining a reputation for its food and drink. There are a lot of very positive food and drink stories around the town at the moment.

“The site is a brilliant location, it’s the widest part of Custom House Quay. If I can get a celebrity chef or noteworthy restaurateur to move into the property that will be an even bigger vote of confidence in Weymouth.”

He also suggested the town centre could be rebuilt around its food and drink offering, instead of retail.

He said: “If it’s not working let’s do something else, food and drink here are exceptional, that’s why Rockfish are coming and investing their money.”