Stantec and Skillsearch come to Huntingdon House, Brighton

SHW has completed the letting of two more floors at Huntingdon House, 20-25 North Street in the prestigious Hannington Estate in Brighton.

Stantec has taken the second floor and Skillsearch will now occupy the fourth floor. Moving from their location within the Hannington Estate, Skillsearch required more space, making Huntington House the perfect location for their expansion needs.

The modern, newly refurbished office space, totalling 16,000 sq ft, provides open plan floor plates, new air conditioning and LED Lighting, shower facilities and a green roof and PV panels, generating energy for the communal areas.  Having let the third for to RINA in 2019, Just one floor remains available, offering 4,360 sq ft.

James Bryant, SHW’s Associate, Business Space Agency, said: “The lettings at Huntingdon House demonstrate the demand for good quality space with green credentials. We saw a record take up of Grade A space in Brighton last year and we expect this trend to continue through 2023.”

DEMAND CONTINUES TO OUTSTRIP SUPPLY ACROSS THE SOUTH EAST INDUSTRIAL MARKET

Rents continue to rise due to demand significantly outweighing supply across the South East industrial market, according to SHW’s Q1 2023 South East Industrial Focus.

Tim Hardwicke, SHW’s Partner and Head of Agency, comments: “On the whole, 2022 saw a good level of take up across all size ranges, with lower take levels generally in locations where availability of good quality stock is restricted. As predicted, strong demand continues to be linked to logistics / B8, rather than B1 manufacturing, due to the continued need for space to serve online retailing / last mile logistics. However, this sector was beginning to slow down towards the end of 2022 and we see this continuing into 2023.”

In Croydon and the surrounding areas, rents have increased from £16 per sq ft in 2021 to a highest £19.75 per sq ft achieved in 2022. Take up was just above 2021 levels with 453,000 sq ft let in 2022. With availability being halved to 670,000 sq ft and very strong logged demand (totalling 5.5 million sq ft), we should see the current 4.4% vacancy rate drop and rents remaining high in 2023.

In Sutton, Epsom, Chessington and Leatherhead, take up jumped in the second half of 2022, showing a significant increase by the end of 2022 to 178,000 sq ft (up from 102,000 in 2021). Rents increased from £15 to £17.50 per sq ft and these are likely to keep pace, with 1.2% vacancy (85,000 sq ft available) and total logged demand of 920,000 sq ft.

Redhill and Reigate recorded a relatively low take up of 48,000 sq ft in 2022, compared with 195,300 sq ft in 2021. Rental levels remain static at £13.95, however demand still outstrips the current availability for the right stock and it’s expected that rents around £17.00 will be achieved shortly.

The vacancy rate in Burgess Hill and Haywards Heath remains low at 2.9%. A healthy take up was recorded, with 128,000 sq ft let in 2022 (134,000 sq ft in 2021). With extremely high demand totalling 1.76 million sq ft in 2022 and availability standing at 65,500 sq ft, rents should edge up from the £13.25 per sq ft recorded in 2022 for the right properties and newbuild schemes are likely to see £16-17.00 per sq ft in the future. Of the total 109,500 sq ft built at Sussex Junction, Burgess Hill, just one self-contained unit of £46,500 sq ft remains available at £14.50, accounting for more than half the total availability in the area and there is good occupier interest being shown.

In Crawley and Gatwick, rents increased from the fairly static £13.75 over the last four years to £16.00 in 2022. Take up was down from 2012 levels (512,000 sq ft) to 350,000 sq ft in 2022 plus another 110,000 sq ft pre-let which is not accounted for in these figures yet. There are a number of new build schemes now being marketed, including the two units totalling 235,700 sq ft at The Base, plus 65,000 and 18,800 sq ft at Arrow Point, both in Crawley, adding up to 1,031,000 sq ft of availability which will go some way to matching the demand logged at a total of almost 3.5 million in 2022.

Horsham has seen relatively static rents at around £12.50 per sq ft due to the severe lack of stock and any newbuild schemes coming forward are likely to be around £14.50-15.00 per sq ft. Take up slightly exceeded 2021 levels, reaching 90,000 sq ft in 2022. Much needed new build schemes are coming through, including more space at Billingshurst Business Park to provide for the 840,000 sq ft of demand and also two schemes in Southwater on the outskirts of Horsham.

On the Sussex Coast, demand remains extremely high, with availability still very low. Brighton & Hove has a 1.2% vacancy, equating to 58,000 sq ft available. Logged demand exceeded 2 million sq ft in 2022, but just 75,000 sq ft was let (down from 87,500 sq ft in 2021), demonstrating the urgent need for new and refurbished industrial space. Panattoni Park Brighton, Shoreham Airport, which is about to start construction, will provide a total of 257,000 sq ft of new space this year.

In Eastbourne and the surrounding areas, demand also remains high at nearly 2.5 million sq ft, pushing rents up slightly to £12.50 sq ft in 2022. Just 89,000 sq ft was let (down from 288,000 sq ft in 2021), including 20,000 sq ft which was split and refurbished into two units and taken by East Sussex Country Council and Go Plastic Pallets. Availability remains low in comparison to demand with 185,000 sq ft recorded.

In Hastings, St Leonards and Bexhill, take up has again soared from 76,500 sq ft in 2021 to 134,000 sq ft in 2022 (0 recorded in 2019 and 13,500 in 2020). Availability has increased to 203,000 sq ft, with 1-9 Ivyhouse Lane in Hastings accounting for over half this space, but this is far outstripped by the total logged demand of over 2.6 million sq ft.

Lewes, Newhaven and Peacehaven, saw a steady increase in rental levels, with £11.50 being the highest rent achieved in 2022. Take up was also steady at 31,000 sq ft and the vacancy rate remains low at 1.5%, equating to 75,000 sq ft. This is slightly up on the previous year, but again, demand is outweighing supply at 480,000 sq ft logged.

Similarly, in Rustington & Littlehampton, rents increase further from £10 per sq ft in 2021 to £12.50 per sq ft in 2022, and take up quadrupled to 24,000 sq ft. Vacancy remains low at 1.23%, with slightly more space available, currently, (74,000 sq ft) and demand outstrips supply, totalling over 1 million sq ft logged in 2022.

The Shoreham and Lancing area has seen a dramatic increase in rents, jumping from £9.50 in 2021 to £14.50 in 2022. Take-up increased from 54,500 to 62,500 and vacancy remains low at 1.2%. Availability stands at 40,000 sq ft and with a demand logged at 850,000 sq ft across 2022 rents should remain strong.

Finally, in Worthing demand is also extremely high with almost 1.5 million sq ft logged in 2022. Take up was slightly down to 36,000 sq ft in 2022, achieving a highest rent of £11.50 per sq ft (£11 in 2021). With just 274,000 available, more quality industrial stock is needed.

Tim adds: “Due to a number of factors, such as land prices, build costs and softening of yields, rents continue to be robust and in most locations are continuing to rise. However, the rate of increase has slowed, albeit incentives have increased marginally. Due to investment yield softening, developers are having to pre-price land purchases in order to make appraisals stack up, but many speculative newbuild schemes are continuing at pace in locations with low supply.”

RELOCATIONS AND EXPANSIONS BOOST SOUTH EAST OFFICE MARKET

The South East office market has seen a dramatic improvement in take-up for many locations across the region, driven by company relocations and expansion, according to SHW’s Q1 2023 South East Office Focus.

Brighton & Hove had a bumper year in 2022 with take up reaching 220,000 sq ft (up from 70,000 sq ft in 2021. Rents jumped from a pretty static £32.00 per sq ft to £36.00 per sq ft. The new headline rent has seen quoting rents rise to £37.50 per sq ft, which SHW are confident will be achieved in 2023. Availability stands at 420,000 sq ft (vacancy 8.75%) although logged demand is far greater at 800,000 sq ft. As a result, we expect rents and take up to remain high.

The new Edward Street Quarter, Brighton accounted for approx. 80,000 sq ft of this take up, with only 30,000 sq ft of office space remaining available in this prime mixed-use development.

Crawley & Gatwick saw similar success with take up jumping from 57,500 sq ft in 2021, to 203,000 sq ft in 2022, and highest rents (£27.50) and with newbuild schemes quoting levels of £35.00 per sq ft. These figures include Crawley’s largest deal to date, with 54,000 sq ft let at Minerva.

Tim Hardwicke, SHW’s Partner and Head of Agency, comments: “Numbers are up due to many companies relocating to improve the quality of their offices, along with others taking opportunities to downsize, in part due to continued flexible working. Relocations have been mainly driven by lease events. However, there has also been a number of notable deals as a result of companies expanding.

“It’s encouraging to see companies investing in their buildings in order to provide staff with the best quality space they can afford – along with greener building promising lower running costs. As a result, we are seeing an increasing pattern of staff wishing to return to the office, rather than being directed to do so, with the new norm of 3 to 4 days per week in the office.”

In London, Grade A rents are standing at £125 in the West End and £75 in the City & Southbank, with 10-year term incentives averaging 21-24 months in the West End and 24 months in the City & Southbank. Grade A rents are reported at £42.50 in Kingston, £55 in Battersea and Putney, £57 in Wimbledon and £57.50 in Richmond.

SHW’s South East Office Focus covers further regions including Redhill, Eastbourne, Horsham, Worthing and Chichester, a copy of which is available upon request.

LOGICOR ACQUIRES STRATEGIC SITE IN DARTFORD, GREATER

Logicor, a leading owner and manager of logistics real estate in Europe, is continuing to grow its portfolio in the UK by acquiring a newly developed multi-let industrial and logistics estate in Dartford, South East London.

Part of the Littlebrook Power Station redevelopment, Plot 4a & 4b, comprising 20 units ranging from 2,885 to 6,025 sq ft, has been purchased from Tritax Big Box and Bericote to add to Logicor’s extensive UK portfolio. The scheme will be known as Logicor Park Dartford.

The high-specification terrace of industrial / warehouse units is in a prime industrial and logistics location within the M25 orbital motorway and provides a  total of c.83,000 sq ft of new, multi-let business space for this undersupplied location.

Logicor Park Dartford will be built to EPC ‘A’ Rated and BREEAM Excellent, with LED lighting throughout, solar PV roof panels, along with EV charging points.

Logicor Park Dartford will encourage the use of green travel to and from work with bike shelters, showers, changing facilities and lockers, along with a cycle to work scheme and a free bus shuttle service. Biodiversity is also supported with initiatives on site such as bee and insect hotels and bird boxes.

Strategically located adjacent to the Dartford Crossing, the scheme is positioned to provide quick, direct access to Central London and to the wider south east markets via the M25, A13 and A2. Existing occupiers in the area include Amazon, IKEA, DPD and Sainsbury’s.

Richard Phillips, Logicor’s Portfolio Director, comments: “This scheme fits perfectly within our strategy of expanding our presence in well-located industrial and logistics areas across the UK. The strategic position of Logicor Park Dartford, with its close proximity to Central London within the M25, matches our vision for connecting our customers with their customers and enabling the flow of trade.

“We are now marketing the space to let from Q1 2023 and are continuing our acquisition programme for further, well-located sites across the UK.”

JLL and DTRE have been appointed as letting agents for the scheme.

Jake Huntley, Partner at DTRE, says: “The demand for modern, well specified logistics accommodation has remained strong in recent months, as occupiers seek to decarbonise their supply-chain and increase operational efficiencies. We anticipate that the specification of Logicor Park Dartford will appeal to a wide range of businesses, aiming to benefit from the energy efficient accommodation.”

Jeffrey Prempeh, Associate at JLL add: “Dartford is an established area for industrial and logistics, serving as a strategic location providing access to London and beyond. With a shortage of industrial space in the market, there is a growing demand from SME for flexible industrial offerings, Logicor Park Dartford aims to address those needs with 20 high quality warehouse units ranging from 2,885 to 6,025sq ft.”

SHW sells Crawley High Street investment

SHW has completed the sale of 45-47a High Street, Crawley on behalf of a private client.

Located in Crawley Town Centre, in the area known as “The Square”, the two adjoining buildings, totalling 4,522 sq ft, have been sold to a family property company for more than £1.25 million.

Let to Countrywide estates, No. 45 High Street comprises a ground floor estate agent, with private interview room to the rear and an upstairs boardroom and kitchen. No 47 offers a fully fitted Turkish restaurant on the ground floor, with staff areas, offices and kitchens on the first floor.

Martin Clark, Partner at SHW said: “SHW let No. 47 on a new 15-year lease, with no breaks, to Turkish restaurant operator Turkuaz Crawley, and we were subsequently instructed to sell the two properties as an investment.

“Through our marketing and network of contacts and applicants we generated significant interest resulting in seven viewings in three days, necessitating an informal best bids process, achieving a sale price significantly over asking price.”

LOGICOR AND STOFORD SECURE FREEPORT STATUS AND PLANNING CONSENT FOR LIBERTY PARK WIDNES

Logicor, a leading owner and manager of logistics real estate in Europe, and Development Manager, Stoford have announced that Liberty Park Widnes, the 18-acre site at Newstead Road in the South Liverpool area, has been granted Freeport status as part of the Liverpool City Region Freeport.

On 10th January 2023, the Freeport was declared officially open for business after Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove approved its full business case.

The Liverpool City Region Freeport is a designated area covering 45km, located in Birkenhead, St Helens and Widnes, where a range of economic incentives will be available, covering customs, business rates, planning, regeneration, innovation, trade and investment support, and employment opportunities.

Centred on a mix of infrastructure including the deep-water container terminal at the Port of Liverpool – the UK’s biggest western facing port, which already handles 45% of trade from the US – it is the key coastal access point to the UK’s largest concentration of manufacturing.

Targeting key sectors including automotive, biomanufacturing/pharmaceutical, and maritime, the Liverpool City Region Freeport will support and attract new manufacturing, logistics and low carbon energy industries. The Freeport status offers attractive incentives to new occupiers including; five years business rate relief, three years employers national insurance relief, structures and buildings allowances, enhanced capital allowances and stamp duty land tax relief. These attractive incentives will create increased employment opportunities and regeneration for the local area, benefitting South Liverpool’s employment zone, with over three million people living within a 45 minutes’ drive.

Additionally, Logicor’s Liberty Park Widnes has achieved planning consent for two schemes at the development site to provide either one large c. 360,000 sq ft industrial / warehouse unit, or two smaller units of c. 210,000 sq ft and 150,000 sq ft. All options will offer two storey offices, ample power supply, EV charging, HGV and car parking and built to the highest standard targeting EPC A rating. The new high specification warehouse space will be available to occupy in Q1 2024.

Tom Blakely, Director, Asset Management at Logicor, says: “Achieving Freeport status at Widnes brings great benefits to future occupiers of the site, including tax reliefs on importing and new employee wages, while encouraging investment and job creation into the local area. We are excited to work with Stoford as our Development Manager on this scheme and to be part of the wider local initiatives to bring investment and employment growth to the area.”

Liberty Park Widnes is strategically located at the junction of Speke Boulevard (A562) and Knowsley Expressway (A5300), providing direct access to the national motorway network via Junction 6 of the M62 and Junction 1 of the M57. Liverpool Airport can also be accessed in just 14 minutes’ drive time and Liverpool Port is located within 12 miles of the site.

Angus Huntley, Director at Stoford, comments: “This project is an exciting opportunity to bring forward new, high-quality logistics buildings in a strategically important location.

“Liberty Park Widnes has the potential to bring jobs and inward investment to an area that continues to rapidly develop. This is one of the only fully serviced sites of its size in the South Liverpool area, which benefits from excellent transport links and a willing workforce on the doorstep to fulfil any employment requirements. Stoford has a proven track record of delivering high-quality accommodation that is attractive to major manufacturing and logistics companies and we are pleased to be working with Logicor to bring these exciting plans to fruition.”

DTRE and Avison Young are retained as letting agents and Stoford is appointed as Development Manager.

Commenting on the granting of Freeport status, Tony O’Brien, Chair of the Liverpool City Region Freeport said: “It is fantastic news that the Liverpool City Region Freeport is now open for business.  We’ve been working extremely hard throughout the development stage to ensure that we could hit the ground running when we reached this stage and I’m sure the Freeport will now deliver tremendous benefits to the city region’s economy, creating thousands of high-quality jobs and boosting growth and prosperity.”

For more information, please visit www.libertyparkwidnes.co.uk  

SHW instructed on seven new build industrial schemes in South London and Surrey

SHW is now instructed as letting agent on seven new build industrial and logistics schemes, totalling 750,000 sq ft, across South London and Surrey

MI1, developed by GLi in Mitcham, is a brand-new urban logistics park set in 13.5 acres on the doorstep of central London at Beddington Corner and on the popular Willow Lane industrial estate. The development offers sustainable, 100% electric units from 25,000 to 300,000 sq ft in a prime distribution area close to key road networks including the A23 and A205.

In Croydon, SHW is marketing GLi’s CR1 and CR2, providing a total of 110,000 sq ft of industrial space, with excellent sustainability credentials, located on the A23 to easily access London and the South East. While Phase 2 of Prologis Park, Beddington, located on Beddington Lane in Croydon will offer build-to-suit opportunities of up 90,000 sq ft. And Chancerygate and SGN’s Factory Lane logistics development, also in Croydon, will provide 14 units ranging from 1,000 to 14,000 sq ft, (totalling 95,000 sq ft) available to lease from Q4 2023.

In SW19, Threadneedle’s Merton 37 is nearing completion, offering a detached 37,631 sq ft, high specification warehouse/industrial unit, targeting EPC A and BREEAM Excellent and built to ‘Net Zero Carbon Ready’ for tenant fit out.

Construction of Saltwhistle Business Park in Redhill is well underway, providing business space from 5,310 to 31,546 sq ft, available to let in Q1 2023. And an additional 80,000 sq ft of high-quality industrial space is in the pipeline at Cox Lane, Chessington which will be coming to the market later this year.

Alex Gale, Partner at SHW, says: “We are delighted to be working closely with our developer clients to bring forward much needed industrial space for the South London and Surrey markets, replacing a lot of older stock that would struggle to be EPC compliant in future years. These new buildings offer the latest designs and features, with higher cubic capacities, to suit a range of occupiers.”

SHW instructed on 2.5 million sq ft of new build industrial property

SHW is now instructed as letting agent for almost 2.5 million sq ft of new build industrial and logistics property across the South East.

The advisory firm’s London and South London offices are marketing 620,000 sq ft of available industrial property to suit a range of occupiers including: MI1 for GLi in Mitcham, which totals 300,000 sq ft and CR1 in Croydon, totalling 110,000 sq ft; Phase 2 of Prologis’s Beddington Lane in Croydon (90,000 sq ft); Chancerygate’s Factory Lane in Croydon (92,000 sq ft); Merton 37 for Threadneedle and Saltwhistle Business Park in Redhill (31,000 sq ft).

In addition, a further 80,000 sq ft is in the pipeline with Cox Lane in Chessington coming to the market this year.

From SHW’s Crawley/Gatwick office, the largest scheme available is the recently PC’d The Base in Crawley, offering two units totalling 235,747 sq ft. Also just PC’d is Midpoint 23 in Pease Pottage offering seven units totalling 86,000 sq ft.

The multi-unit, 35,000 sq ft Forge Wood Employment Area in Crawley has now been pre-sold. 110,500 sq ft has been built at Sussex Junction, Bolney with 64,000 sq ft pre-let to a data centre leaving 46,500 sq ft available.

A further 85,000 sq ft in two units is being marketed in Crawley at Arrow Point and 24,000 sq ft across two units has just been pre-sold at Tungsten Park North in Horsham.

Coming forward to start on site in February this year is 435,000 sq ft at Panattoni Park in Burgess Hill. And, in the team’s most recent appointment, two units totalling 87,000 sq ft at Cross Oak Lane in Horley will be marketed on a pre-let or pre-sale bases.

Billingshurst Business Park, comprising a total of 150,000 sq ft has been part let to Lidl, along with three further pre-lets. Swallow Business Park in Hailsham is mostly let with only approximately 15,000 sq ft of the total 40,000 sq ft now available. Billingshurst Trade Park is now built, with most of the 50,000 sq ft committed and Lineside Industrial Estate is receiving a great deal of interest in the four units available, totalling 13,222 sq ft.

Finally on the Sussex Coast, 25,000 sq ft at Phase 4 at Swallow Business Park, Hailsham, has been pre-let for the Martlett Group and spec build at Phase 5 has commenced which provides smaller units from 1,600 sq ft and totals 105,000 sq ft.

Further much needed space (399,510 sq ft) will come to the market this year at Panattoni Park in Shoreham (278,000 sq ft), starting on site in February. Chichester City Council are building 23,510 sq ft of new industrial space at St James Industrial Estate on Westhampnett Rd, Chichester, offering 10 units to let with PC in Jan 2023; Worthing Council are in planning for 38,000 sq ft of small sheds up to 3,500 sq ft and Swallow Business Park in Hailsham will bring forward a further 60,000 sq ft.

Tim Hardwicke, Partner and Head of Agency at SHW, says: “We are delighted to be working with a mixture of private and public sector landlords to bring forward much needed industrial space across the South East to cater for a variety occupiers, offering a range of sizes and locations to suit.

“As you would expect, we have good interest across the board and look forward to announcing further development milestones and successful lettings this year.”

LOGICOR STRENGTHENS UK ASSET MANAGEMENT TEAM

Logicor, a leading owner and manager of logistics real estate in Europe, has strengthened its UK Asset Management expertise, welcoming Matthew Storr to its UK team as Director, Project Management.

Having started his property career as a Surveyor with Bollingbrook (now part of Colliers), before moving to CBRE, Matthew has over 15 years’ experience in commercial real estate, most recently working with multi-unit industrial property developer Chancerygate, where he was a Director in the Project Management team. 

Specialising in the delivery of industrial and logistics premises across the UK, Matthew will be working alongside Technical Management Director, Samuel Towers, UK Technical Manager Oliver Hayes and Logicor’s wider UK Asset Management team, Matthew will be assisting the fulfilment of Logicor’s development pipeline across the UK.

Matthew Storr, UK Director, Project Management says: “I’m delighted to be joining the Logicor team as Director, Project Management. This is an exciting time for the company and I am really looking forward to working on the large pipeline of development projects in the UK portfolio.” 

Charlie Howard, Logicor’s UK Managing Director, says: “As we continue to grow our UK portfolio with acquisitions and increasing our developments, delivering a high-quality product is more important than ever, and Matt’s in-depth experience of the market will provide invaluable support to the team across the UK.”

Logicor delivers new UK warehouse for Hoek Flowers

Hoek Flowers has secured its third UK warehouse at Logicor’s Lye Valley Industrial Estate in Stourbridge. 

The Dutch family business, which distributes to 52 countries worldwide, has taken Unit 10, totalling 2,346 sq ft on a new 5-year lease to serve its customers across the Midlands and Northern England. The West Midlands industrial estate is perfectly located close to the M5 and M6, providing an easy link to the wider UK motorway network. 

Kerri Cox, Logicor’s Asset Manager, UK, says: “This family run business has a real passion for flowers, always working to discover and secure the best products for its customers, both from Flora Holland and direct from local growers in Holland and many other countries. This new warehouse for Hoek will speed up their distribution across the UK and we are pleased to be able to facilitate their growth needs.”

Hoek Flowers, who recently won the Supplier of the Year Award at the British Florist Association Industry Awards in October, was founded by Peter Hoek, who started his career in the flower industry at 17. A real entrepreneur, having set a flower shop with his brothers in a small town in Holland, he set about expanding their customer base, driving his flowers to the South of France to sell to French tourists. While driving back with an ‘unprofitable empty truck’, he discovered local growers in France selling products not available back home. The buying of these local flowers became the base for the business, which has now been passed to his sons and has grown to become a web shop selling international flowers to an international customer base.

Darren Morrish, General Manager of Hoek Flowers, comments: “Lye Industrial Estate provides the base for us to enable delivery to our customer here in the UK, with the flexibility to expand our warehouse space as our business continues to grow. This new premises will help us to service the midlands and the north particularly, reducing delivery times which is key to our customers, as we supply flowers to independent florists all across the UK”. 

Fisher German and White Rose are retained agents for Logicor at Lye Valley Industrial Estate.

SHW sells Jetset House, Crawley

Tui, advised by SHW, has sold the freehold Jetset House, Church Road, Lowfield Heath, Crawley to an unnamed Occupier for in excess of £6m

The warehouse, previously used as a training centre and offices for the travel and tourism company, has been sold with vacant possession to the new owner occupier.

Totalling 56,488 sq ft, on a c. 2-acre site adjacent to Gatwick Airport, the property is located on the popular Church Road Industrial Estate which has good access to the M23 and the wider motorway network.

Adam Godfrey, Partner at SHW, says: “We are delighted to achieve the strong sale for Tui. We received a great deal of interest in Jetset House and are pleased to have sold to an occupier who will use the space to serve their growing business.”

LOGICOR GRANTED PLANNING CONSENT FOR c.112,000 SQ FT B&M WAREHOUSE EXTENSION

Following the granting of planning permission, Logicor, a leading owner and manager of logistics real estate in Europe, will commence the development of a significant extension to B&M Bargain’s Runcorn warehouse and distribution facility.

One of the UK’s fastest-growing variety retailers, B&M recently signed a deal with Logicor to remain at its existing c.343,000 sq ft Runcorn warehouse (Onyx 350) for a further 10 years, with Logicor committing to build a further c.112,000 sq ft to help serve B&M’s UK expansion.

The new warehouse will connect to the current premises, located on the 300-acre Manor Park Industrial Estate, one of the North West’s prime distribution locations. Adjacent to the A558, with easy access to the M56 and The Mersey Gateway Bridge, Manor Park is home to many household name occupiers including Lidl and DHL.

A spokesperson from B&M says: “Having occupied this site for many years, we know that our Runcorn warehouse is best located to serve our customers across the UK. The extension will provide plenty of space for us to expand our services with minimal disruption to our staff and allowing us to continue providing a seamless service to our customers. The additional space will also enable us to significantly increase our employment in the area.”

The new development works will include the extension of B&M’s service yard to the north and east, the input of 11 new dock loading doors, two new level access doors and 32 additional HGV parking spaces.

Forming part of the works, Logicor will also upgrade B&M’s existing warehouse to provide LED lighting throughout for the benefit of staff and the environment, and install 10 EV chargers, delivering a BREEAM Very Good certified building.

B&M will continue to occupy its existing building while the construction works take place, with completion of the development scheduled for Q3 2023. Upon occupation of the additional space, the new 10-year lease will commence on the combined c.455,000 sq ft warehouse.

Tom Blakely, Logicor’s Director, UK Asset Management, says: “It’s been a joy to work with the B&M team to identify and understand their expansion needs and to be able to deliver new space in the location they want to be. We have worked very closely with B&M to design the right space for them in a way which allows their team to continue operating as normal while the works take place.”

SHW APPOINTS NEW HEAD OF PLANNING

Brett Moore has joined SHW’s team as Associate Planner.

Joining from Smith Simmons & Partners where he spent just over a year as Principal Planner, Brett has over 10 years’ experience as a Director with Moore Planning, a Chartered Town Planning Consultancy based in Sussex but working on projects throughout the southern region.

A chartered member of the Royal Town Planning Institute, with 19 years’ experience spanning both public and private sectors, Brett has been involved in a wide range of planning and development projects and boasts a particularly broad professional knowledge and skills base.

Ryan Carson, Partner and Head of Building Consulting at SHW, says: “Specialising in all aspects of the Town Planning spectrum, Brett’s extensive knowledge and experience enables him to assess the development potential of sites and develop robust solutions to what can sometimes appear as complex planning conundrums.”

Working across the UK, Brett is based in the SHW’s Croydon office.

Redhill Manufacturing expands at Logicor’s Lakeside Industrial Estate, Redditch

Logicor, a leading owner and manager of logistics real estate in Europe, has announced that Redhill Manufacturing has expanded its presence at its Lakeside Industrial Estate in Redditch, taking a new lease on three units totalling 26,482 sq ft.

Redhill Manufacturing has been a customer of Logicor since 2021 and currently occupies Unit 3 at Lakeside Industrial Estate.

The British-made access, handling and storage equipment manufacturer has significantly grown and consequently has taken three additional units, totalling just over 26,000 sq ft.

The three units have been refurbished to now include efficient LED lighting and PVC windows as well as more effective heating and cooling systems. Fast-action roller shutter doors have also been fitted, as well as secure bike racks. There is internal access across the three units and a mezzanine will be added within the space, creating a total of c.52,000 sq ft for the manufacturing business.

Redhill Manufacturing intends to vacate Unit 3 as they upsize their operation into the three-unit terrace.

Bill Martyn-Smith, Logicor’s Asset Manager, UK, comments:  “We pride ourselves on working closely with new and existing customers to identify the right space that suits their needs. We hope these refurbished units will support Redhill Manufacturing as it further expands its business."

Andy Colley of Redhill Manufacturing, comments: “We’re immensely excited about our new facility and the opportunities it provides us as we move into an important new phase of expansion and growth. The new, refurbished facilities will provide us with much greater capacity for incoming materials and extensive storage for assembled products, enabling us to significantly increase output while reducing lead times.”

LSH and Harris Lamb will be marketing Unit 3 when Redhill vacate at the end of the year.

330,000 sq ft of New Crawley Industrial/Warehouse space to PC before Christmas

Over 330,000 sq ft of new industrial/warehouse space will complete in Crawley in time for Christmas across two schemes: The Base on Fleming Way in Manor Royal and Midpoint 23 on Brighton Road, Pease Pottage.

Located within Manor Royal, one of the premier industrial and business districts in the South East, The Base comprises two high specification, prominent industrial/distribution units of 88,708 and 147,039 sq ft.

The self-contained units are naturally well-lit with high bays, designed to exceed governmental and environmental standards. The sustainability features include rainwater harvesting, 11,000 sq ft of photovoltaics and EV charging points, making this scheme BREEAM Excellent and EPC A rated.

Situated on Fleming Way, a prominent position within Manor Royal, The Base provides excellent connectively to Gatwick Airport, London and the South East. Occupiers within the area include Tesco, FedEx, DHL and Parcel Force.

Midpoint 23 is a prime warehouse and light industrial scheme, providing a total of 86,000 sq ft of space across four units ranging from 9,832 to 39,979 sq ft. Located just off J11 of the M23, connecting to the M25, the scheme has been built to a high specification boasting BREEAM Very Good and EPC A credentials.

Tim Hardwicke, Partner at SHW, letting agent for both schemes, says: “Located in an attractive wooded setting, Midpoint 23 has been designed to fit in with its surroundings, with sustainability in mind, offering low running and maintenance costs, external staff amenity space, EV charging points and cycle parking.

“The Base, in contrast, is of striking, modern, contemporary design, while still offering all the sustainability features. Both these developments offer the location and spec for a wide range of occupiers, and we have already received a great deal of interest.”

Invest Crawley launches The Create Building - “The finest building between London and Brighton”

December 2022, Crawley, UK: Agents and stakeholders were this morning welcomed to a breakfast event at Crawley's latest and only town centre office development, The Create building in Crawley.

Tours of the high specification Grade A office space, which offers flexibility of sizes from 7,000 sq ft to 77,000 sq ft, were followed by addresses from Adam Godfrey, Senior Partner, SHW – the building’s joint letting agents alongside Savills, and Natalie Brahma-Pearl, Chief Executive at Crawley Borough Council.

Against a backdrop of sweeping panoramic views of the town centre and beyond, Mr. Godfrey welcomed guests to what he described as a “best in class” workspace for Crawley.

“We’re very much in an age of the flight to quality; the space and the facilities here speak for themselves.” On the location and connectivity of the building Mr Godfrey remarks that “a great building really is connected” and The Create Building is no exception: “The building is within 500 metres of 16 cafes, one gym, a fantastic park and a mainline railway station that has been extensively remodelled.

“We have four trains an hour to London taking just 40 minutes, a nine-minute train to Gatwick Airport and we’re only two roundabouts away from junction 3, which gives access to Brighton, the south coast and the M25 of the national motorway network”.

Natalie Brahma-Pearl, Crawley Borough Council, remarked on Crawley’s “rapid mission of regeneration” and how the council have invested millions of pounds into the borough:

“We have a £72m growth programme which you can see elements of as you walk around town - from the public realm improvement evident all the way around this building and down into the town centre, to the new town square and improved train station. There is also £150 million pounds going into a new station at Gatwick Airport.

“Crawley is a really well-connected place. It's hard to find a better-connected place in the country”.

Ms Brahma-Pearl also spoke of the skills cluster in the area, which has been further ignited thanks to government funding: “Things are really happening here, there is a massive cluster of skills, energy, innovation, creativity and businesses that want to come along and support this.”

On the building’s credentials, Ms Brahma-Pearl commented that the “look and feel of the environment in which people work in is fundamental to their productivity and wellbeing” and that the message agents should take away from today is that this building will help prospective tenants to “attract the right staff” thanks to its “good quality workspace and environment”. She also spoke of the exemplary green credentials the building offered, remarking that businesses are now “really tuned in to the environmental sustainability agenda.”

With many big businesses currently based in the area, and some 44,000 people already commuting into the town for work, Ms Brahma-Pearl hopes new companies or even indigenous companies in Crawley, will want to locate themselves in what she described as “probably the finest building between London and Brighton.”

The Create Building development is home to approx. 14,000 sq ft on each floor, has a target for BREEAM Excellent rating and an EPC of high B. Grade A specifications include metal ceiling tiles, raised access floors, fan coil air conditioning, showers with drying rooms, four 17-person passenger lifts and secure parking at 1:350 sq ft.

Located in Crawley, in the centre of the Gatwick Diamond, The Create Building is right in the heart of the town centre's Regeneration Quarter, offering easy access to cafes, restaurants, gyms, and the green space of Memorial Gardens. Crawley also has excellent links via road and rail to London and Gatwick Airport.

The Create Building launch was delivered by White Label Creative as part of the Invest Crawley Programme and in partnership with the joint agents.

LOGICOR PREPARES CAMPUS 450 @ DIRFT FOR THE LOGISTICS MARKET

Logicor, a leading owner and manager of logistics real estate in Europe, has announced that Campus 450 @ DIRFT will be available to let in Q2 2023, following a comprehensive refurbishment project.

The modern logistics campus offers three detached industrial and logistics warehouses and ancillary areas, totalling c.450,000 sq ft, located on the UK’s premier inter-modal rail connected logistics park - Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal (DIRFT).

DIRFT sits in the ‘Golden Triangle’, the UK’s logistics heartland, providing immediate access to the M1 (J18) and easy access to the M6 / A14 intersection, the M45 and the A5. The new DIRFT rail terminal enables fast freight, port and European connectivity.

The refurbishment of this standout logistics campus has strong ESG credentials and will include LED lighting throughout, EV charging and decarbonisation of the buildings by removing the gas boilers and replacing with air source heat pumps. The scheme is targeting at least BREEAM In Use Very Good rating and an EPC B, with further occupier specific opportunities to install renewables.

DIRFT has an active car sharing community and assisted green travel planning aiming to cut congestion and pollution, while saving money on travel costs. 

Established occupiers in the area include Boohoo, Tesco, DHL, Eddie Stobart, M&S and Clipper, as well as being home to the UK’s largest Royal Mail parcel hub.

Anthony McCluskie, Logicor’s Director, Asset Management, comments “Moving goods via rail freight is an important and growing part of the logistics supply chain and allows our customers to quickly and reliably move goods from DIRFT around the UK and Europe– ensuring continuity of supply. The central location of DIRFT from both road and rail perspectives allows occupiers to respond quickly to changing demand and helps reduce carbon emissions through operations and the supply chain.

“Campus 450 is a purpose-built facility offering occupiers a rare opportunity for scale complimentary to multi-service occupation. The buildings have been constructed to a high specification and will be fully refurbished to Grade A standard for occupation early next year.”

DTRE, Knight Frank and Lambert Smith Hampton are retained as letting agents for Campus 450 @ DIRFT.

SHW appointed on Panattoni’s new Brighton logistics scheme

Panattoni has acquired a site near Brighton for a 257,000 sq ft speculative logistics development designed to serve the South Coast markets.

The development, called Panattoni Park Brighton, is on a 12-acre plot which has been bought in an off-market deal from an investment vehicle managed by Kennedy Wilson. SHW has been appointed as letting agent for the scheme, along with DTRE and Savills.

Panattoni plans to begin speculative development of the park, which has detailed planning consent, in Q1 of 2023, with completion expected in Q4.

It will comprise seven units, ranging from 19,000 sq ft to 71,495 sq ft, which will be built to a targeted BREEAM rating of Excellent and an EPC rating of A.

Tony Watkins, head of development for the South East and London at Panattoni, said: "Despite the headwinds facing the whole real estate sector, both Panattoni and Kennedy Wilson are delighted to have closed the transaction for this very well-located site in a very supply-constrained market.

"We hope to work together on further development transactions."

Mike Pegler, head of UK at Kennedy Wilson, added: "We recognised a compelling opportunity to unlock the full potential of the whole Brighton City Airport estate following our acquisition of the site in 2020 and moved quickly to secure planning permission for a new industrial development on this site.

"Two years later, as demand for new logistics and industrial space has steadily increased within a region acutely lacking in supply, we are pleased to complete this transaction with Panattoni that will lead to the creation of much needed, high-quality space with leading ESG credentials.

"We retain our interest in the remainder of the airport estate and look forward to working with all stakeholders to further its long-term success."

LOGICOR LETS DIRFT DISTRIBUTION FACILITY TO M&S

23 November, Logicor, a leading European owner and manager of logistics real estate in Europe, has secured a long lease with leading retailer, Marks & Spencer (M&S) at DIRFT 224, Daventry, following refurbishment of the c.224,000 sq ft cold store distribution facility located at Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal (DIRFT).

M&S, an existing customer, will move into DIRFT 224 at the end of this month to complement its existing strategic network. Situated adjacent to the M1 at Junction 18, five-minutes’ drive time from the M6/A14 interchange, the modern, detached warehouse also offers excellent access to the national motorway network.

Anthony McCluskie, Logicor’s Director, Asset Management, UK, comments: “It’s great to work with M&S again to provide this refurbished modern chilled storage for our valued existing customer. The site has undergone a full refurbishment which was delivered on time, ready for M&S to occupy ahead of their Christmas peak. M&S will join a number of blue-chip occupiers at this prime distribution park.”

DIRFT, the UK’s premier inter-modal, rail-connected site is located in the ‘Golden Triangle’ for logistics. The largest rail freight terminal in the UK, with a direct link to the Channel Tunnel, domestic destinations and deep sea ports, DIRFT has the capacity to handle around twice as many trains per day as any rival facility.

JLL and Cushman & Wakefield advised Logicor.

Alongside extending the relationship with M&S, an extensive refurbishment programme has begun on three detached warehouses within a large secure site, known as CAMPUS 450, at DIRFT which will enhance the sustainability of the current assets.

As part of the work to improve the sustainability of assets across the Logicor portfolio, EV charging points, new LED lighting, and air source heating will all contribute to lowering the carbon emissions and will be targeting BREEAM Very Good.

Dolby Medical secures Manor Royal office facility

Dolby Medical have acquired just over 22,000 sq ft at the 30,000 sq ft Palladian office building on Manor Royal. Wanting to remain on Manor Royal, Palladian is well located on Manor Royal Road with quick and easy access to the M23, going to the M25 Northbound (11 miles) and Brighton Southbound (c.26 miles). Gatwick Airport is located c.3 miles away.

Dolby Medical will be occupying the ground and part first floor at Palladian. The property has been substantially refurbished to include external re branding, new air conditioning, new suspended ceilings with LED lighting , new WC and shower facilities and carpeting. There is an impressive new reception and generous parking with EV charging points to the rear.

SHW acted for Dolby Medical. Laura Miles, Director at SHW said: “It is really encouraging to be able to secure a new HQ facility for Dolby Medical on the Manor Royal Estate, allowing them to grow and occupy high quality space in a prominent location. Working collaboratively with Dolby Medical, SHW’s professional and building surveying teams, we were able to achieve a great outcome.”

Altus Group and Knight Frank acted for the Landlords. Tim Hodges, Senior Director at Altus Group said: “This is a significant transaction for the Crawley office market, with the decision of Dolby to relocate to Palladian highlighting the appeal of the building with its striking design, large well-proportioned floor plates and excellent environmental criteria with a B rated EPC.

“There is a suite of circa 7650 sq ft remaining available on the 1st floor with a private external terrace.”