Hortons’ Estate Ltd has completed its third and largest investment deal so far this year, with the acquisition of a multi-let industrial estate in Staffordshire. The independent property company has purchased Hixon Airfield Industrial Estate, a former RAF base in Hixon, near Stafford. The site comprises almost 500,000 sq ft
Leading commercial property developer Morris Property has announced a substantial acquisition of 13.8 acres at Hortonwood 45 in Telford. This represents the 23rd commercial development undertaken by the Shropshire-based family-run property group in the Telford and Wrekin borough, including the two Morris-owned and built developments, Access442 and Paragon Point. It
Work has started on the latest 8-figure investment for logistics company, Ascott Transport Limited (ATL) at its Midlands Hub in Foston, Derbyshire. Midlands based contractor G F Tomlinson, is delivering the project, and held a ground-breaking ceremony earlier this month to celebrate works officially starting, with representatives from ATL and
Following the completion of a brand-new national fulfilment centre for leading British pet supplies retailer, Pets at Home by McLaren Construction Midlands and North, the company is now relocating employees from its current Stoke and Northampton facilities. The site, which is centrally located at Stafford North Business Park on the
Bansco is onsite delivering Broadheath Networkcentre in Altrincham where a second pre let deal has just been agreed to freight forwarding specialist, XPand Logistics. Bansco is delivering the development on behalf of Network Space, with work at the 11.5 acre former Cartwright headquarters due to complete this autumn. XPand Logistics
The project will include the fit-out of an existing 280,000 sq ft warehouse unit, together with their new office space and associated civil engineering works. Glencar, a leading UK construction company that was recently ranked amongst Europe’s fastest growing businesses, has today announced that it has been appointed by leading
Real estate developer, Firethorn Trust, is making significant progress at Sherburn42, a North Yorkshire logistics development owned by Cain International, as structural steelwork is now in place. Firethorn Trust is acting as asset and development manager on behalf of the scheme’s owner, privately held investment firm, Cain International. With steels
Real estate developer, Firethorn Trust, has reached a significant milestone at Barnsley340, a 24-acre logistics development owned by Cain International, with structural steelwork now in place. Firethorn Trust is acting as asset and development manager for the South Yorkshire scheme on behalf of the privately held investment firm, Cain International.
The unit which totals 602,000 sq ft was built by leading logistics developer GLP and is the largest and most sustainable logistics building in the North of England. Glencar, a leading UK construction company that was recently ranked amongst Europe’s fastest growing businesses, has today announced that it has been
Pets at Home, the UK’s leading pet care business, has opened a new, purpose-built distribution centre in Staffordshire. The state-of-the-art centre, which will employ more than 800 people, will support the company’s omnichannel capabilities and underpin the next decade of growth. The development, on a 70-acre site at Stafford North
Hortons’ Estate Ltd has completed its third and largest investment deal so far this year, with the acquisition of a multi-let industrial estate in Staffordshire. The independent property company has purchased Hixon Airfield Industrial Estate, a former RAF base in Hixon, near Stafford. The site comprises almost 500,000 sq ft of existing industrial space, storage compounds and over 36 acres of land. It is the latest in a trio of acquisitions completed by Hortons in 2023, which combined total £35.65 million. They include deals for Sinfin Commercial Park in Derby and Joules’ Corby distribution centre, which further expand the company’s footprint of more than six million sq ft of office, industrial, retail and leisure properties located throughout the Midlands. Steve Tommy of Hortons, said: “We are very pleased to have completed our third significant investment deal in quick succession. “Hixon Airfield Industrial Estate is a well-established industrial estate with an impressive mix of international, national and local occupiers and complements our growing industrial property portfolio. We are looking forward to working with occupiers and attracting new business to the estate through existing units, storage facilities and potential future development.” Hortons was advised by Ben Roberts of Roberts Real Estate.
Leading commercial property developer Morris Property has announced a substantial acquisition of 13.8 acres at Hortonwood 45 in Telford. This represents the 23rd commercial development undertaken by the Shropshire-based family-run property group in the Telford and Wrekin borough, including the two Morris-owned and built developments, Access442 and Paragon Point. It also marks the company’s 13th development at Hortonwood. The Hortonwood 45 site, acquired through agents, Andrew Dixon, situated to the north of the estate, already has planning consent for a single 140,000 sq ft Distribution Warehouse unit and, with funding secured, construction will start mid-August 2023 with completion targeted for September 2024. The unit will be constructed to a Breeam ‘Very Good’ Rating and will benefit from 11m eaves (to underside of haunch), 50kn/m² floor loadings, single storey integral offices totalling 4,995 ft² and will feature 4 Dock Levellers and 3 Level Access loading doors. Head of Development at Morris Property, Liz Lowe commented: “Sustainability sits at the forefront of our design for the unit ensuring occupiers operational costs are kept to a minimum, fulfilling many of the ESG ratings used in measuring the sustainability and social impact of the building. “We have incorporated an upgraded roof structure to accommodate PV panels and a 1MVA power supply if required. In addition, there will be parking for 193 cars including 20 EV charging points.” The acquisition represents Morris Property’s clear commitment to continued investment in Telford and its appetite to acquire oven-ready sites. Morris’s agility and resources ensure that the project will complete in 13 months, helping meet business requirement for a unit of this size in one of Telford’s principal warehouse employment areas. “Working with the vendor’s agent, we are delighted to secure this site and ensure that we have the funding in place for our construction team to be on site in mid-August 2023. We are confident that this new build opportunity will appeal to many occupiers with its excellent road links to the M54 just 4 miles away.” Liz concluded. Andrew Dixon, from Andrew Dixon & Company said: ““It was a pleasure to work with a substantial local company, and we are pleased to be involved in such an exciting project that will provide further local investment and prosperity.” Morris Property has been acquiring, building, restoring and leasing commercial property in the region for more than 100 years.
Work has started on the latest 8-figure investment for logistics company, Ascott Transport Limited (ATL) at its Midlands Hub in Foston, Derbyshire. Midlands based contractor G F Tomlinson, is delivering the project, and held a ground-breaking ceremony earlier this month to celebrate works officially starting, with representatives from ATL and key project funders from HSBC and Empire Finance in attendance. The 127,000 sq. ft warehouse will include 14 new loading bays, offices, welfare rooms and external concrete yards and roads. Due for completion early 2024, the facility will enable ATL to meet the increased demand and grow its client base further. The development is the second warehouse scheme that G F Tomlinson has constructed for ATL, having previously completed a 190,000 sq. ft warehouse at the Midlands Hub. The first phase of the development included a three-storey gatehouse, high- spec offices, a new workshop, and outside storage as well as parking facilities and an extensive, high-bay warehouse. Following the completion, the company almost doubled its Midlands operating capacity. Having been based in South Derbyshire for more than 20 years, ATL have developed the site significantly into a major logistics and storage hub. The new warehouse will facilitate existing clients and make provision for expansion. Andy Sewards, Chairman and Managing Director of G F Tomlinson, said: “We’re delighted to be working with ATL again, to provide a new state-of-the-art distribution warehouse which will support the company’s extensive growth plans. “Through our long-standing relationship, we have seen ATL’s success and to be a part of the next stage of its journey is fantastic. We look forward to work progressing over the next few months.” Pete Ascott, Managing Director of ATL said: “Given the success of the first phase of our development back in 2018, it was a simple decision to partner with G F Tomlinson to deliver phase two. “The second phase adds a further 20,000 pallet storage capacity to our portfolio, available from January 2024.” To find out more about G F Tomlinson and its projects, please visit: www.gftomlinson.co.uk. For more information about ATL and the services it provides or to enquire about employment opportunities please emailcontact@atl.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Following the completion of a brand-new national fulfilment centre for leading British pet supplies retailer, Pets at Home by McLaren Construction Midlands and North, the company is now relocating employees from its current Stoke and Northampton facilities. The site, which is centrally located at Stafford North Business Park on the A34, is the new main fulfilment centre for the UK retailer, and the transition of employees from the current Stoke and Northampton facilities is ongoing and will complete in early 2024. Once the site is fully operational, the national fulfilment centre will be able to house 600 employees per shift, with three shifts running per day. This is the first time McLaren Construction’s Midlands and North division has completed a landmark build for client, Pets at Home, working alongside Stoford to deliver groundworks including the cut and fill of the greenfield site, which was previously disused farmland. The contractor completed the base build before constructing the 670,000 sq. ft. steel framed warehouse, complete with roof cladding, a photovoltaic roof, associated dock levellers, level access doors, two hub offices, a three-storey main office and category B works. A concrete service yard, recycling store and tote store were also constructed independently, alongside a prefabricated gatehouse and 592-space car park. Catering to future business expansion, the site can also facilitate a 10,000 sq. ft extension to the main warehouse, should the need arise in the future. Rated BREEAM ‘Excellent’, with the environment at the core of its design, cladding colours for the fulfilment centre were chosen to blend in with the natural surroundings, and the car park was built as a floating feature on gravel, to prevent flooding to the area when it rains. The entire build took 72 weeks to complete, during which time the construction team had regular consultations with the local neighbourhood and sent monthly newsletters and information bulletins to residents. Andrew Howard, Operations Director at McLaren Construction Midlands and North, said: “We are delighted to have delivered this landmark national fulfilment centre for such a renowned client, alongside Stoford. “The new site will facilitate the next phase of growth for the British pet supplies retailer, with increased capacity for employees and a base for further expansion of the site. It is ideally placed on the A34 by Stafford, with close links to the M6.” Daniel Gallagher, Stoford Joint Managing Director, said: “We have worked closely with Pets at Home, Tesco Pension Fund and McLaren to develop this exciting new scheme that will sustain local jobs in Staffordshire. We have delivered a modern national storage and distribution centre, with a first-class design that has sustainability at its core.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bansco is onsite delivering Broadheath Networkcentre in Altrincham where a second pre let deal has just been agreed to freight forwarding specialist, XPand Logistics. Bansco is delivering the development on behalf of Network Space, with work at the 11.5 acre former Cartwright headquarters due to complete this autumn. XPand Logistics is taking a 28,700 sq ft unit at the Atlantic Street site, where some 206,000 sq ft of high quality workspace is being delivered across 25 units. The letting swiftly follows a recent deal to Maersk for a 41,500 sq ft unit which means more than 35% of the site is now let in advance of practical completion. The regeneration of this brownfield site will see a mix of high-quality refurbished space, alongside new builds, creating a modern, multi-let industrial destination. With remaining units available from 2,100 sq ft to 21,500 sq ft, the development has the capacity to create upwards of 400 new jobs and provide much needed speculative workspace in the region. An environmentally friendly scheme, targeting EPC A ratings and BREEAM Very Good, there has also been a significant reduction in embodied carbon through the construction process as the steel and concrete structures on the site are being reused and recycled. In operation initiatives include renewable energy provision through solar panels and electric vehicle charging points across the entire scheme. Simon Eaton, Senior Development Manager at Network Space, said: “It’s fantastic to have already let over a third of the scheme to such exceptional occupiers so far in advance of completion. This is testament to the quality of the scheme, its sustainability credentials and its prime south Manchester location. “We continue to receive a very high level of enquiries from a broad range of potential tenants across multiple sectors and are now well on our way to delivering a best-in-class scheme offering high quality employment space, job opportunities, inward investment and economic growth.” David Osborn, Managing Director at XPand Logistics Limited said: “XPand are delighted to be significantly expanding our operations in the Manchester region with this brand new purpose built facility. We are growing at a rapid pace and continuing to evolve to meet the needs of our customers, which this exciting new development will allow us to do.” The scheme is being supported with a £23.25 million loan from Trafford Council and with over 95% of the project budget being invested in a supply chain within 45 miles of the site, a significant number of local training and employment opportunities have been created. Jonathan Williams at Savills and Will Kenyon at B8 have been appointed as letting agents for Broadheath Networkcentre by Network Space. The wider professional team includes Walker Sime, project management and quantity surveying and AEW architects. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The project will include the fit-out of an existing 280,000 sq ft warehouse unit, together with their new office space and associated civil engineering works. Glencar, a leading UK construction company that was recently ranked amongst Europe’s fastest growing businesses, has today announced that it has been appointed by leading British logistics provider Wincanton, to fit out a 280,000 sq ft IKEA warehouse at a site in Dublin, Ireland. The project also incorporates the fit-out of their new office space, sprinklers, racking, the installation of a new security hut and all associated civil engineering works. The works commenced in April and overall is expected to take 22 weeks, with practical completion expected towards the end of September 2023. Commenting on the appointment Rory McGillycuddy, Country Director of Glencar’s Ireland division said: “Our offering in Ireland and the UK continues to advance rapidly with Glencar recently being appointed to several fit-out projects, in addition to entering new markets such as the Data Centre and Ports sectors to supplement our core market of Industrial and Logistics delivery. For this scheme in Dublin, we are working closely with our special projects division that specialises in fit-out works across Great Britain. This project underpins our continued growth in Ireland, collaborating with existing major partners that we work with in the UK, as well as new customers in the Irish market.” As specialists in the Industrial and Logistics sector, the knowledge and expertise we have developed in the past seven years in the UK, transfers itself perfectly to support the needs of a growing number of occupiers in Ireland requiring complex construction, fit-out and commissioning works. We look forward to working with Wincanton in Dublin and will deliver this facility to their exacting standards. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Real estate developer, Firethorn Trust, is making significant progress at Sherburn42, a North Yorkshire logistics development owned by Cain International, as structural steelwork is now in place. Firethorn Trust is acting as asset and development manager on behalf of the scheme’s owner, privately held investment firm, Cain International. With steels now in place, the development is progressing at pace and will be ready for occupation from Q3 2023. Comprising four highly specified industrial units, ranging from 57,750 to 280,000 sq ft, the 37-acre development is being delivered by McLaren Construction Group. In line with Firethorn’s commitment to sustainability, the scheme will be accredited by the UK Green Building Council for its net-zero carbon construction, with a modern and future-proofed specification that will empower occupiers to reach their own operational sustainability targets, both now and in years to come. Paul Martin, Development Director at Firethorn, said: “With a market-leading specification, Sherburn42 is an ambitious development, demonstrating our focus on creating quality spaces that are smart, modern and flexible. Occupiers will benefit from a design that will support evolving operational requirements and market demands, whilst inspiring them to think big on sustainability. “We’re delighted to see the significant progress that has already been made on-site, and look forward to swiftly bringing the scheme to completion later this year.” Rated BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and ‘WELL-ready’, Sherburn42 features full PV coverage and LED lighting to offices, in addition to existing and future EV charging capabilities. The development also offers eaves heights of 15m to haunch, 11 ground-level access doors, 633 parking spaces and up to 4MvA power. Sitting adjacent to the Sherburn Enterprise Park, the scheme’s close proximity to Junction 42 of the A1 (M) provides direct connections to Leeds, the M1, M62 and coastal ports of Hull and Grimsby, as well as a number of regional rail stations and airports. Enquiries should be directed to the scheme’s letting agents: Colliers, Lambert Smith Hampton, and Carter Towler. For more information on Sherburn42, please visit https://sherburn42.co.uk/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Real estate developer, Firethorn Trust, has reached a significant milestone at Barnsley340, a 24-acre logistics development owned by Cain International, with structural steelwork now in place. Firethorn Trust is acting as asset and development manager for the South Yorkshire scheme on behalf of the privately held investment firm, Cain International. This latest update marks a major milestone for the development, which will be ready for occupation in Q3 2023. Providing 340,000 sq. ft of prime industrial space, Barnsley340 is being delivered by Glencar Construction, which specialises in industrial, logistics, distribution and manufacturing. It marks Glencar’s third contract from Firethorn, following previous appointments to the developer’s logistics sites in Erith and Peterborough. With a sharp focus on sustainability, Barnsley340 will be constructed to net-zero, with BREEAM “Excellent” and EPC “A” ratings. A best-in-class specification, including 15% rooflight coverage, 32 EV parking points and full LED lighting, will create a modern logistics space, designed with the future in mind. Paul Martin, Development Director at Firethorn Trust, said: “It’s fantastic to see such swift progress being made at Barnsley340, as we work to deliver an industry-leading scheme for the region. Barnsley is now recognised as an area of opportunity, boasting a strong record of inward investment and business growth that is expected to increase as part of ongoing regeneration. “With an excellent specification, Barnsley340 has been designed to put the occupier in prime position for future growth, with the benefit of a modern and flexible warehousing space that can meet their operational needs, now and in the future. It has been great to work with Glencar once again to create a successful logistics scheme that hits the Firethorn standard and delivers real impact for our occupiers and the wider region, whilst maintaining our commitment to sustainability.” Situated within the established Gateway36 development, Barnsley340 is located less than one mile from J36 of the M1 and provides excellent connectivity across the Yorkshire region, with direct motorway access to Leeds, Sheffield and Nottingham For more information, contact the scheme’s agents, Gent Visick and Knight Frank, or visit www.barnsley340.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The unit which totals 602,000 sq ft was built by leading logistics developer GLP and is the largest and most sustainable logistics building in the North of England. Glencar, a leading UK construction company that was recently ranked amongst Europe’s fastest growing businesses, has today announced that it has been appointed by Maersk, the Danish shipping and logistics company to undertake comprehensive fit-out works at Mammoth 602, a 602,000 sq ft warehouse development situated at GLP’s G-Park Doncaster development that it has recently occupied. The £12M project will comprise of the fit out of the existing office areas to category A standard, Warehouse high level services and minor external works alterations. Warehouse area fit-out includes lighting, sprinklers including works associated, frost protection, fire alarm and small power. Works started at the beginning of February are expected to be complete at end of the September 2023. G-Park Doncaster is situated in the logistics capital of the North, just 6 miles from the centre of Doncaster, providing easy access to all parts of the UK and mainland Europe via its central position, along with a vast skilled workforce. Commenting on the appointment Tom Kersley, Glencar Commercial Director said: “Mammoth 602 is an incredible development and the largest such fit-out project Glencar have been awarded to date since establishing our new special projects division so we are suitably delighted. The specialist knowledge and expertise we have built our name on within the Industrial & Logistics lends itself perfectly to support the needs of a growing number of occupiers requiring specialist fit-out and enabling works. We look forward to expanding our offering in the face of increasing demand. We also look forward to working with the team at Maersk and delivering to their exacting needs”. Mammoth 602 is a strong example of GLP’s commitment to sustainability across its developments. It is GLP’s third building to be net zero carbon for construction, in line with the UKGBC framework, and is part of the Planet Mark accreditation scheme which helps to further reduce the carbon footprint for the occupier. The development benefits from best-in-class specification that is built for logistics, including two 50m service yards, 20m clear internal height, 60 dock levellers, 16 large dock levellers, 24 level access and 4 van level access doors with visibility from the M18. There is also 28,762 SQ FT of office space within the building, 217 HGV parking spaces, and 372 car park spaces. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Pets at Home, the UK’s leading pet care business, has opened a new, purpose-built distribution centre in Staffordshire. The state-of-the-art centre, which will employ more than 800 people, will support the company’s omnichannel capabilities and underpin the next decade of growth. The development, on a 70-acre site at Stafford North Business Park was overseen by leading commercial property developer Stoford with the building works carried out by McLaren Construction. Pets at Home’s Chief Executive Officer Lyssa McGowan marked the occasion at a special ribbon-cutting presentation also attended by her predecessor Peter Pritchard, who commissioned the development, and company founder Anthony Preston. Daniel Gallagher, Joint Managing Director of Stoford, and Councillor Jeremy Pert, from Stafford Borough Council were also amongst the attendees. Lyssa McGowan, who is also celebrating her first anniversary as Pets at Home’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “I’m incredibly proud to mark this significant moment for our business with some truly remarkable colleagues and former leaders who have each contributed so much to the success of our business. The team have worked incredibly hard to ensure our new fulfilment centre has the capacity and capability to support future growth for years to come as we continue maximising our omnichannel capabilities.” Pets at Home has signed a 20-year lease on the facility, which is close to Junction 14 of the M6. The building will provide 670,000 sq. ft of floor space, with adjacent land for an additional 100,000 sq. ft expansion, if required. Facilities will include two double-storey hub offices of 5,600 sq. ft and a recycling store, tote store and a gatehouse detached from the main building. A nature walk with bat and bird boxes and dog walking areas will be made available for the public and colleagues to use. The development also includes numerous environmentally friendly features such as solar panels, rainwater harvesting and electric car charging points. Daniel Gallagher, Stoford Joint Managing Director, said: “We have worked closely with Pets at Home and Tesco Pension Fund to develop this exciting new scheme that will sustain local jobs in Staffordshire. We have delivered a modern national storage and distribution centre, with a first-class design that has sustainability at its core.” Councillor Jeremy Pert, Deputy Leader of Stafford Borough Council, said: “I am really proud of having such a market leading and fast growing business as Pets at Home choose to set up their head office and national fulfilment operation in Stafford Borough, laying down their roots for the future and investing in the local area, and bringing a range of quality of roles. It shows that Stafford Borough is uniquely placed in the country to be a great place to live, work and thrive. Where Pets at Home leads, others will follow.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
