Commercial : Industrial News
Panattoni acquires the North West’s largest brownfield logistics site

Panattoni acquires the North West’s largest brownfield logistics site

Panattoni, the world’s largest privately owned industrial developer, has exchanged contracts to acquire a prime 30-acre brownfield site at Hardwick Grange, Warrington, representing the largest strategic logistics land purchase in the North West this year. The site, formerly occupied by Safeway and later Iceland, has been acquired from UK real

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Panattoni acquires key site in Kent for 1m sq ft+ industrial development

Panattoni acquires key site in Kent for 1m sq ft+ industrial development

Panattoni, the world’s largest privately owned industrial developer, has acquired a 70-acre site on Lenham, Kent, creating a rare opportunity to deliver large-scale, modern industrial space in a market where demand outstrips supply. The development is expected to attract national and international logistics occupiers. The site, previously home to Aliaxis

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Winvic starts construction at Panattoni Park Swindon

Winvic starts construction at Panattoni Park Swindon

Winvic Construction Ltd has broken ground on the next stage of Panattoni Park, Swindon, as work begins on a 915,000 sq. ft warehouse and production facility for Panattoni, the UK and Europe’s largest logistics property developer. The project, known as Unit S915, marks the second phase of development at the

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Growth plans and investment by Midlands-HQ’d Olympus Global after announcing start of construction at new north east site

Growth plans and investment by Midlands-HQ’d Olympus Global after announcing start of construction at new north east site

European automotive component distributor, Olympus Global, has announced it is soon to break ground on its new multi-million pound distribution facility in the North East of England. Ambitious growth plans and a significant £2.7m investment by the Midlands-HQ’d company, as well as industrial architectural designs, civil engineering and project management

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Latest Issue
Issue 334 : Nov 2025

Commercial : Industrial News

Panattoni acquires the North West’s largest brownfield logistics site

Panattoni acquires the North West’s largest brownfield logistics site

Panattoni, the world’s largest privately owned industrial developer, has exchanged contracts to acquire a prime 30-acre brownfield site at Hardwick Grange, Warrington, representing the largest strategic logistics land purchase in the North West this year. The site, formerly occupied by Safeway and later Iceland, has been acquired from UK real estate investor and developer, Firethorn, and English Real Estates Ltd. Located adjacent to Junction 21 of the M6, the property benefits from immediate motorway connectivity, in one of the region’s most established industrial locations. Panattoni intends to bring forward proposals for a new sustainable logistics park on a speculative basis, replacing the obsolete existing buildings with high-quality, energy-efficient space designed to meet the growing demand for modern accommodation across the North West region. Dan Burn, Head of Development for the North West and Yorkshire at Panattoni, said: “We are delighted to have acquired this major strategic site in Warrington. The obsolete buildings are at the end of their economic life, and our intention is to bring forward a high-quality, sustainable redevelopment that reflects both the site’s potential and its importance to the local economy. We look forward to working collaboratively with Warrington Borough Council and our planning consultants, Lichfields, to refine our proposals ahead of submitting a planning application early next year.” The redevelopment will target BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ and EPC ‘A’ ratings, reflecting Panattoni’s commitment to sustainability and Net Zero Carbon standards in construction. The scheme will also aim to deliver significant local economic benefits through job creation, enhanced landscaping, and improved accessibility. Brownfield regeneration continues to represent a substantial proportion of Panattoni’s UK investment activity, accounting for 2m sq ft of the company’s project acquisitions this year. The Warrington development reinforces Panattoni’s focus on repurposing redundant industrial land in established urban markets, driving sustainable growth while supporting regional employment. DTRE advised Panattoni on the transaction, with CMS providing legal counsel. For more information, please visit: www.panattoni.co.uk/warrington Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Panattoni acquires key site in Kent for 1m sq ft+ industrial development

Panattoni acquires key site in Kent for 1m sq ft+ industrial development

Panattoni, the world’s largest privately owned industrial developer, has acquired a 70-acre site on Lenham, Kent, creating a rare opportunity to deliver large-scale, modern industrial space in a market where demand outstrips supply. The development is expected to attract national and international logistics occupiers. The site, previously home to Aliaxis and other industrial tenants, offers over 1 million square feet of space. Its location provides direct access to the A20, M20 (Junctions 8 and 9), and M25, enabling fast distribution across the South East, London, and Europe through the nearby ports of Dover, London Gateway, and Medway. From Lenham, more than 40 million postcodes are reachable within four hours and 19 million within two hours, positioning the site as a strategic hub for national supply chains. Panattoni plans to speculatively develop over 1 million sq ft, named Panattoni Park Maidstone. The development will target BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and EPC A+ ratings with net zero construction standards. Occupiers will be able to customise unit sizes and layouts ahead of planning submission, offering flexibility rarely available in the South East. David McGougan, Development Director at Panattoni, said: “Panattoni Park Maidstone is a significant addition to our portfolio and addresses the national need for high-quality, flexible industrial space. With strong transport links and access to a skilled workforce, it provides businesses with a location that supports growth, efficiency, and sustainability. The new site builds on this experience, providing occupiers with access to strategically positioned, high-specification space in a highly competitive market.” Tony Watkins, Head of Development: South East & London at Panattoni said: “Panattoni has a strong track record of delivering large-scale, sustainable industrial projects across Kent, including Panattoni Park Aylesford, Sittingbourne, and Wrotham. This acquisition further strengthens Panattoni’s role in delivering strategic logistics infrastructure across the UK.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Powering pallets: £80m green light for Pall-Ex Centre of Excellence in Leicestershire

Powering pallets: £80m green light for Pall-Ex Centre of Excellence in Leicestershire

Pall-Ex has secured planning permission for a new headquarters and flagship distribution hub in Bardon, Leicestershire, following approval by Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council. The £80m Centre of Excellence will anchor the pallet network’s UK and European operations and is positioned to become a benchmark scheme for the sector. Set across 14.2 hectares, the development totals 408,000 sq ft of floorspace with an additional 100,000 sq ft canopy for weather-protected cross-dock operations. Barberry Developments, which agreed a pre-let with Pall-Ex earlier this year, is bringing forward the scheme as a next-generation logistics platform combining capacity, speed and high environmental performance. The building is designed to achieve EPC A+ and BREEAM Excellent ratings and is claimed to be the UK pallet network’s first purpose-built facility designed to be energy self-sufficient, enabling carbon net-zero operation in use. The campus plan also includes a staff welfare zone with a football pitch, basketball court and clubhouse to support recruitment and retention. Jonathan Robinson, director at Barberry Developments, said: “We are thrilled to announce that, having earlier this year secured a pre-let agreement with Pall-Ex to deliver the company’s new national Centre of Excellence in Leicestershire, we have now achieved planning consent. Our development is key to the region and will create around 500 construction jobs and an estimated 534 permanent jobs, business rates for the local authority and economic growth for local businesses and the community. Working closely with Pall-Ex, we will create a new national palletised freight distribution centre that will deliver new ESG credentials, carbon net zero in occupation, staff welfare recreation zone incorporating football pitch, basketball court, club house, helping attract and retain staff while providing Pall-Ex with the operational excellence that will make the business stand out amongst its UK competitors.” The scheme will sit by established Midlands logistics infrastructure, enhancing Pall-Ex’s network efficiency while consolidating management functions on one site. A main contractor has yet to be appointed and no shortlist has been announced, with procurement and programme details to follow. For Building Design & Construction readers, the project signals several live themes in UK logistics property: electrification and onsite generation to reduce operational carbon, welfare-led site planning, and large-span, weather-protected canopies to drive cross-dock productivity and resilience. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Indurent supports Regency Glass expansion with major relocation to Indurent 420, Omega West

Indurent supports Regency Glass expansion with major relocation to Indurent 420, Omega West

Indurent, a leading developer, owner, and operator of industrial and logistics space across the UK, has relocated and upsized its existing tenant, Regency Glass, supporting the company’s continued growth. The company has agreed to lease a 420,000 sq ft facility at Indurent 420, Omega West – the biggest in Indurent’s portfolio – marking the largest single site lease completed in the North West of England this year. Regency Glass had previously agreed to lease c.125,000 sq ft of industrial and logistics space across two newly developed units at Indurent Park Trident in Warrington. However, following significant strategic investment from business acquisition compounder CorpAcq and demand for the company’s latest product, Regency Triple featuring Corning© Enlighten™  Glass, an ultra-thin glass triple-glazed unit, growing significantly, Indurent was able to provide an alternative solution that met the company’s need for a much larger, single-site operation. Indurent 420, Omega West was completed in Q2 of this year and quickly secured Regency Glass as its occupier, underscoring the continued strong demand for high-quality space in prime locations. The unit is part of the established Omega West development, one of the North West’s most strategic distribution hubs, offering best-in-class facilities, direct motorway access, and proximity to major occupiers including Amazon, Royal Mail, and Home Bargains. The unit offers 421,250 sq ft of premium, sustainable space designed with operational efficiency and long-term growth in mind. Built to the highest ESG standards, Indurent 420 has achieved BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and is targeting EPC A. It includes rooftop solar PV, LED lighting, and a 2MVA power supply, supporting net-zero carbon performance. Hannah Bryan-Williams, Senior Customer & Leasing Manager at Indurent says, “This relocation and significant upsize is a great example of how Indurent works in partnership with its customers to support their growth. By understanding Regency Glass’ evolving needs, we were able to provide a flexible solution that offers the scale, sustainability, and quality required for their next phase of expansion at Omega West.” Darren Beazant, CEO, Regency Glass says, “We are incredibly excited for this next chapter in Regency’s story. Although we’re leaving our longstanding home in Leigh, we carry our roots with us. This move represents an opportunity the business truly deserves. It’s a chance for our entire team to be part of something extraordinary, scaling up in a way that will change the UK glazing market.” This deal exemplifies Indurent’s ability to support businesses at every stage of their growth, delivering flexible, high-quality, and sustainable logistics solutions that adapt to occupier needs. It also reinforces Indurent’s commitment to the North West, where the company continues to expand its portfolio with best-in-class developments that attract leading occupiers and drive regional growth. The new product, developed in collaboration with Corning Incorporated, a world-leading innovator in glass, ceramics and materials science, features an ultra-thin profile, a lightweight design, and enhanced thermal performance, all without the bulk typically associated with traditional triple glazing. This innovation supports growing demand in the replacement window market and sets a new standard for quality and sustainability, Indurent’s retained agents are DTRE, B8 and CCP. The successful completion of this relocation was also supported by BCLP, Till AM, Knight Frank LLP and Gateley Legal. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Glencar to spearhead first phase of VGP Park East Midlands by the M1

Glencar to spearhead first phase of VGP Park East Midlands by the M1

Glencar has been appointed principal contractor to design and build the opening phase of VGP Park East Midlands, an 835,000 sq ft logistics development planned near Castle Donington by Junction 24a of the M1. The initial tranche totals 370,000 sq ft across two speculative units with integrated offices: Unit 3 at 240,000 sq ft and Unit 4 at 130,000 sq ft. Alongside the vertical build, Glencar’s remit covers full site-wide earthworks and the formation of development plateaus to enable later delivery of Units 1 and 2. The package also includes significant infrastructure upgrades, with Section 278 highway works to Netherfield Lane and Tamworth Road, plus external works such as HGV and car parking, access roads and landscaping. Targeting BREEAM Excellent, the scheme aims to combine robust specification with sustainability measures from day one, setting a standard for subsequent phases. Peter Goodman, managing director at Glencar, said: “This is an important milestone for Glencar as we embark on our first project with both VGP and Newlands. The VGP Park East Midlands scheme stands out not just for its scale but also for its ambitious sustainability targets and technical complexity. We look forward to bringing our expertise to the table and working collaboratively to deliver a best-in-class logistics park.” The appointment marks Glencar’s first commission with VGP, the Belgian industrial real estate developer, and with Newlands, acting as development managers. Glencar moved on site in August and is scheduled to reach practical completion at the beginning of October 2026. The project team features PHP Architects, Avison Young (Manchester) as project manager/quantity surveyor and Stantec as engineer. Jonny Allen, VGP’s UK country manager, added: “VGP appointed Glencar to deliver this scheme after a competitive tender. They’ve made a great start and have already demonstrated their expertise in this sector of real estate development.” With groundwork preparing future plots and highways improvements baked into phase one, the programme is structured to accelerate the park’s build-out while minimising disruption to the strategic road network. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Winvic appointed to deliver first unit at West Midlands Interchange for Carlsberg Britvic

Winvic appointed to deliver first unit at West Midlands Interchange for Carlsberg Britvic

Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, has been appointed by Logistics Capital Partners (LCP)to deliver a new depot for Carlsberg Britvic at West Midlands Interchange (WMI). The depot will be the first constructed at the development and was celebrated with an official groundbreaking ceremony. The drinks company previously announced that it will be the first occupier at WMI – a transformative £2 billion national logistics hub at Junction 12 of the M6 near Wolverhampton, which is being developed by global real estate investor, developer and manager Oxford Properties and LCP.   Building on Winvic’s success as the design stage delivery partner on WMI, since 2023 the team has delivered new road infrastructure and works to the existing road and public rights of way network, along with the reconfiguration and undergrounding of energy infrastructure, and the earthworks required to create development plots and landscape zones.  As part of those works, Winvic and Active Tunnelling completed tunnelling beneath the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal, marking a significant milestone for the development. This involved the use of a Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM), which operated at a depth of 10 metres and drilled a length of 25 metres as part of the site-wide drainage works.   Honouring tradition, the industry organisation CECA Midlands, named the TBM and chose ‘Red Emma’ in honour of Emma Sproson – a pioneering working-class political figure from the Black Country.  Now awarded the contract to deliver the first industrial unit on the development, a new 220,000 sq ft depot for Carlsberg Britvic, Winvic has commenced the 37-week build programme, with completion due in Spring 2026. The two-storey depot, which will include 11,408 sq. ft of office space, is being purpose-built to Carlsberg Britvic’s requirements and will feature state-of-the-art facilities to support the company’s growing logistics needs.   Designed with a focus on energy efficiency and building performance, the depot is targeting BREEAM ‘Excellent’, EPC A+, and alignment with the Net Zero Framework Definition principles supporting the Net Zero Carbon Building Pilot Standard, aiming to achieve Net Zero in Operation.   In addition, it will include high efficiency heat pumps, rainwater harvesting and effective implementation of ecological measures throughout design, construction and handover, while the roofs will be 100% optimised for PV panels.  As part of the infrastructure phase, Winvic’s social responsibility team developed a bespoke Employment Skills and Training Plan to maximise opportunities for local communities and leave a lasting legacy across Staffordshire, South Staffordshire and Wolverhampton.    The contractor has facilitated 18 industry placements, including T Level, work experience and Year-in-Industry students, totalling 186 weeks of learning, and supported five apprentices. Training initiatives in collaboration with supply chain partners, such as Roller Driver training, have helped local residents to gain formal qualifications, enhance employability skills and secure successful employment outcomes.   Working closely with the dedicated WMI Brokerage (Staffordshire Jobs and Careers Service), new opportunities are cascaded to local employment partners, with 41% of the project workforce living within a 30-mile radius.  Winvic also launched the site’s first Careers Lead Encounter Day, in partnership with the Careers and Enterprise Company, inviting local school careers leads for site tours and in-depth insights into roles in engineering, planning, and design. Building on its success, Winvic hosted a Teacher Encounter Day to showcase real life examples of how science and geography link to construction careers.  During the construction of the new Carlsberg Britvic depot, Winvic will continue its commitment by continuing to deliver an Employment and Skills Plan, building on the relationships established during the infrastructure phase to further enhance opportunities and outcomes for local communities.   Danny Nelson, Managing Director of Industrial, Logistics and Distribution at Winvic, said: “During our early contractor involvement and delivery of significant civils and infrastructure works, we have built collaborative relationships with Oxford Properties and LCP, so we are perfectly placed to deliver the first depot at one of the UK’s largest and most environmentally conscious intermodal logistics parks.  “Our team brings extensive experience of delivering similar sustainable, rail served sites and by working with our client, supply chain partners and the local authorities, WMI will give local people access to construction skills and employment, bringing significant economic benefit to the region and nationally.” David Bodily, Property & Facilities Director at Carlsberg Britvic, said: “The West Midlands Interchange will play an important role in Carlsberg Britvic’s logistics network, as the home to our West Midlands Depot serving customers throughout the region from Q4 2026. This is a very special moment for the development as work begins, and we are proud to take part and mark the occasion. Our new depot will provide a fantastic long-term hub for our people and reinforces the West Midlands role as a key centre for logistics in the UK, helping to drive growth and excellence.” Robin Everall, Head of Development at Oxford Properties, added: “This groundbreaking ceremony at the West Midlands Interchange is an important milestone in the development of the UK’s foremost logistics hub, with its multi-modal transport connectivity and highly sustainable specifications attracting blue chip occupiers looking for bespoke warehouse space. We look forward to working with Carlsberg Britvic on the delivery of their new facility and welcoming them to the site once it’s completed next year.” James Markby, Managing Partner at LCP, said:“We are extremely happy to have taken this major step forward for the West Midlands Interchange development. We were very proud to secure Carlsberg Britvic as our first occupier recently, and seeing work begin on Unit 5030 is another substantial event in our long-term ambitions. The WMI site is set to become the country’s most significant rail served logistics development and will become a crucial component of the UK’s strategic freight network. It will be key to decarbonising UK logistics and supporting the country’s wider net zero aspirations. It will also make a significant contribution to the local economy, creating 8500 direct jobs and boosting opportunities for people in South Staffordshire, the Black Country, the West

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Winvic starts construction at Panattoni Park Swindon

Winvic starts construction at Panattoni Park Swindon

Winvic Construction Ltd has broken ground on the next stage of Panattoni Park, Swindon, as work begins on a 915,000 sq. ft warehouse and production facility for Panattoni, the UK and Europe’s largest logistics property developer. The project, known as Unit S915, marks the second phase of development at the 370-acre site and represents a major milestone in its regeneration. The new facility will feature a state-of-the-art single-storey logistics hub, complemented by a two-storey main office (17,365 sq. ft), a two-storey transport office (5,295 sq. ft), an entrance tower and bridge, a gatehouse, and provision for a future vehicle maintenance unit. The building will achieve a clear haunch height of 21 metres and incorporate sustainability targets including BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and EPC A ratings, while being delivered to Net Zero Carbon in Construction standards. Alongside the main build, Winvic’s scope includes roads, service yards, car parking, landscaping, drainage and utilities. The launch of Phase Two follows Winvic’s completion of Phase One earlier this year, which involved the large-scale demolition of the former Honda car manufacturing plant decommissioned in 2021. That stage saw the removal of more than 15 buildings, extensive earthworks of around 800,000m³, and the installation of new infrastructure including drainage systems, estate roads, highway access points, utilities, footpaths and cycleways. On-site recycling of materials, including 6F2 aggregate from demolition works, has reduced vehicle movements and landfill waste. The site team also managed ecological and archaeological considerations, supporting an eight-week investigation led by Oxford Archaeology, uncovering multiple historic features. Habitat protection and enhancement measures included safeguarding a local watercourse, installing wildlife barriers, and introducing new owl boxes. Winvic’s work has also had a community focus. Phase One provided opportunities for local employment, including roles for former Honda staff and student placements. Phase Two will continue this legacy through an Employment and Skills Plan aimed at creating training, job and engagement opportunities for people in the Swindon area. Construction of Unit S915 is now underway and forms a key part of Panattoni’s long-term strategy to transform the site into one of the UK’s most significant logistics hubs. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Winvic commences works on Panattoni’s largest ever speculative logistics unit

Winvic commences works on Panattoni’s largest ever speculative logistics unit

Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, has started construction on Unit S915 at Panattoni Park, Swindon. The scheme is the second phase of works for the contractor at the Swindon site and marks the beginning of the build of a state-of-the-art 915,000 sq. ft warehouse and production facility for longstanding client, Panattoni – the largest logistics property developer in the UK and Europe. The construction of Unit S915 is a key milestone of the multi-phase regeneration of the 370-acre site and will comprise a single-storey logistics facility with a two-storey main office of 17,365 sq. ft, a two-storey transport office of 5,295 sq. ft, an external two-storey entrance tower and bridge of 1,808 sq. ft, a gatehouse, internal plant deck, clear haunch height of 21 metres and provision for a future vehicle maintenance. Works will also include all roads, service yards, car parks, hard and soft landscaping, drainage and utilities. Designed to target BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and EPC A ratings, the unit will be delivered to a Net Zero Carbon in Construction standard (aligned with the UK Green Building Council 2019 Framework Definition). Phase two follows the successful completion of phase one which involved major demolition and site-wide infrastructure works, including the removal of the former Honda car manufacturing facility decommissioned in 2021. Running from February until September 2024, the initial programme included the demolition of over 15 buildings. Additional works involved extensive earthworks of approximately 800,000m³ to create development plateaus. Winvic also delivered critical infrastructure including foul and stormwater drainage systems, estate road construction, site wide utilities, highway access alterations and strategic footpaths and cycleways. Circularity has been a key focus of the scheme, with on-site recycling of 6F2 aggregate and a balanced earthworks strategy significantly reducing vehicle movements and associated environmental impact. Additionally, demolition materials have been recycled, helping to minimise waste sent to landfill and supporting a more sustainable construction approach. The Winvic site team carefully managed ecological and archaeological constraints as part of its early enabling works, Winvic also supported a comprehensive eight-week archaeological programme, in collaboration with Oxford Archaeology. Multiple areas of historic interest were identified across the site, with Winvic stripping topsoil to expose areas for excavation. The team also carried out significant ecological mitigation measures including the installation of wildlife protection barriers, the safeguarding of a key watercourse and full tree protection. Several inactive badger setts were carefully removed under supervision, while new owl boxes were installed on site to support local biodiversity as part of habitat creation measures. During Phase 1, the scheme prioritised the employment of local people including Honda’s former Facilities Electrical Engineer, who worked at the plant for 30 years, a Winvic Project Manager involved in the original Honda Car Plant build and a civil engineering student also gained valuable experience on-site as part of a placement. Phase 2 will see the delivery of an Employment and Skills Plan designed to make a positive local impact through employment, training, educational and community engagement. Danny Nelson, Managing Director of Industrial, Logistics and Distribution at Winvic, said: “It’s a privilege to continue our strong relationship with Panattoni and to be entrusted with delivering its largest ever speculative unit, following the successful completion of the complex first phase. The demolition and enabling works presented significant challenges – not just due to the scale of the site but also the sensitive management of existing infrastructure on the brownfield site. And the latest appointment is testament to our expertise in delivering high-quality industrial projects with industry-leading sustainability credentials” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Work starts on new £16m, 59,500 sq ft Grade A urban logistics development in Clayton, East Manchester

Work starts on new £16m, 59,500 sq ft Grade A urban logistics development in Clayton, East Manchester

Developer Chancerygate has started work on the construction of a new 59,500 sq ft Grade A urban logistics development in Clayton, East Manchester which could create up to 60 jobs. Called Eastside, the scheme will comprise nine units ranging from 4,315 sq ft to 14,300 sq ft and has a project gross development value of around £16m The site, formerly Walkers of Manchester’s printing facility, is located on Crabtree Lane in Clayton under three miles east of Manchester city centre and two miles west of junction 23 of the M60 motorway. Eastside sits near to the Eastlands Regeneration Area centred around Manchester City Football Club’s Etihad campus and the recently launched £365m Co-op Live entertainment venue. Neighbouring occupiers in the retail scheme fronting Ashton New Road include Aldi, Subway and Greggs. Construction work has started on the 2.3-acre site and is due to be completed by June 2026 All units at the development will benefit from electric vehicle charging points, air sourced heat pumps, low air permeability design and solar cells on their roofs which provide green energy on an affordable basis to occupiers. In addition, the units will be constructed from high-performance insulated cladding and roof materials to reduce CO2 emissions. The scheme is targeting an EPC A and BREEAM Very good rating. Chancerygate’s senior development director, Chris Brown, who is based in the company’s Warrington office, said: “Our Eastside development will help satisfy the acute shortage of Grade A industrial and logistics accommodation for SMEs serving the East Manchester catchment and uniquely offers occupiers the opportunity to buy their own unit. “The scheme’s proximity to infrastructure links and population hubs, as well as its strong ESG credentials, make it attractive to prospective occupiers in a wide range of sectors. “There has already been strong early interest in the space at the development and we now look forward to delivering this prime industrial site which will become a long-term economic asset for the locality.” Founded in 1995, Chancerygate is the UK’s largest urban logistics property developer and investment manager and the only one operating nationwide. In the UK, Chancerygate currently has around 1.56m sq ft of urban logistics space under construction or ready for development across 12 sites ranging from Manchester to Croydon. Agents for Eastside at JLL and Colliers CRE. For more information on Chancerygate, visit www.chancerygate.com, for Eastside  www.eastsidemcr.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Growth plans and investment by Midlands-HQ’d Olympus Global after announcing start of construction at new north east site

Growth plans and investment by Midlands-HQ’d Olympus Global after announcing start of construction at new north east site

European automotive component distributor, Olympus Global, has announced it is soon to break ground on its new multi-million pound distribution facility in the North East of England. Ambitious growth plans and a significant £2.7m investment by the Midlands-HQ’d company, as well as industrial architectural designs, civil engineering and project management expertise by Building Design Northern (BDN) all come together on Monday 06 October when construction starts at the 16,000 sq ft Newton Aycliffe site. The announcement coincides with this year’s North East Automotive Alliance (NEAA) event (25 September) which sees organisations from across the whole industry supply chain attend the annual expo held in Sunderland. Olympus Global, a UK and European-wide distributor of high-quality engineered components, is building its second UK warehouse distribution facility (the first in the North East) to directly serve industrial, automotive and wider supply chain companies in northern and Scottish regions. The bespoke build – designed, delivered and project managed collectively by architectural and engineering firm, BDN, will see prime brownfield land at Aycliffe Business Park in County Durham be fully transformed into a fit-for-purpose scheme with dedicated storage space and modern offices. The site will facilitate existing international customers including Unipres, Thorn Lighting and Gestamp Tallent (located opposite), and is anticipated to ship more than £7m worth of parts and engineering components in the first year of operations alone. The new facility will create up to 10 new jobs making a significant contribution to the local economy. Ryan Doyle, Director at Building Design Northern (BDN) which is working on behalf of major UK-wide industrial and commercial clients including Olympus Global, commented: “Being able to announce the start of construction onsite is fantastic and it’ll be great to start seeing our designs coming out of the ground. “We have worked closely with Olympus Global right from the start across all requirements to support this major scheme, and our knowledge, industry insight and technical expertise across different architectural and engineering disciplines has proved critical given our client is also based outside the region. The main contractor is ready to go so getting ready to break ground on the site is good news for Olympus Global, the industry and the wider business community too.” BDN has appointed Hall Construction as principal contractor to deliver the development which also includes bespoke ‘green’ features to align with Olympus Global’s commitment to carbon reduction and sustainability.  Olympus Global – a £38m turnover business – supplies engineering fasteners, precision-turned and machined components, castings, aluminium extrusions and forgings to major organisations within the industrial and automotive sectors. The Newton Aycliffe development will become the company’s fifth site including its head office and distribution centre in the Midlands and further facilities in Spain and Hungary. Keith Rice, Managing Director at Olympus Global, said: “We are delighted to be breaking ground at Newton Aycliffe as it is a key strategic site for the company, and one which marks a new chapter in our 50+ year history. We work very closely with the region’s automotive supply chain, so it is also very timely to announce the start of construction date at NEAA’s expo event. “The North East and County Durham is a prime location providing direct access to main transport routes and proximity to the industry’s big players and cluster locations. “Our clients are fast-paced organisations that require the highest level of turnaround, dispatch and efficiency, so we’re delighted to be starting construction and making our mark here in the region.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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