Commercial : Industrial News

Arrival of Warehouse and Industrial Space

A historic industrial site in Bevendean has been given a new lease of life after developer Charter Land transformed it into Brighton Works – the largest warehouse and industrial development to be brought to the city for 25 years. The building at The Hyde, Auckland Drive, previously housed Brighton Sheet

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NETWORK SPACE DEVELOPMENT PROGRESSES ON SALFORD RAVEN LOCKS’ SCHEME

Steelwork now underway on the Ravenscraig Road site. Construction is now under way at the Raven Locks, a 172,000 sq ft speculative industrial scheme in Salford, following the appointment of Portal Construction NW Ltd as main contractors. Portal Construction NW were appointed to undertake works on the 14-acre Ravenscraig Road

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Construction begins on new hangar at London Biggin Hill Airport

STRUCTURAL steel firm John Reid & Sons Ltd (REIDsteel) and design and build specialists Civils Contracting Ltd (Civils) have started work on another major new business aircraft service centre at London Biggin Hill Airport. The REIDsteel and Civils partnership has been successfully delivering aircraft hangars for over 20 years. The

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NSM APPOINTED TO MANAGE MAGNA 34 BUSINESS PARK

NSM has been appointed by InfraRed Capital Partners to property and asset manage its Magna 34 Business Park.  An industrial scheme near Sheffield, NSM will also provide agency services, helping to secure new tenants for the forthcoming multi-million pound development.  Magna 34 Business Park comprises of a mixture of units

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NSM completes South Yorkshire letting to Hermes in a record five days

Industrial asset management specialist NSM has let an additional unit to global logistics giant Hermes –  with the deal from initial enquiry to occupation taking just five days. As demand for logistic and industrial space grows during the covid-19 crisis, NSM was initially approached by Hermes with a speculative enquiry

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Latest Issue
Issue 339 : Apr 2026

Commercial : Industrial News

Specialist developer building its first net zero carbon ready property

Logistics and industrial property business PLP is building its first net zero carbon ready speculative logistics development. It is being constructed at its 343,000 sq ft warehouse at Smithywood, Sheffield, and is due to complete in September 2020. PLP says it plans to deliver all future speculative builds to the UK Green Building Council’s (UKGBC) Net Zero Carbon Ready standard. It is working with the Turley sustainability team and carbon neutrality and climate finance experts Natural Capital Partners. The firm has assessed carbon emissions from construction through life cycle assessment of materials and products, and reduced these emissions through the inclusion of materials with a lower carbon footprint. And it will mitigate any remaining construction carbon emissions to net zero by funding high quality carbon offset projects, achieving CarbonNeutral® development certification through The CarbonNeutral Protocol. The new building is also be designed to promote energy efficient and low carbon operation, with solar photovoltaics and air source heat pumps and 100% LED lighting. Further design measures, including roof strengthening, will allow the operator to install additional solar photovoltaics and battery storage in future to further enhance environmental performance. Jeremy Greenland, CEO at PLP, said: ‘PLP is committed to deliver best in class, sustainable and future-proof units. “With a useful life of 30 to 50 years, producing Net Zero Carbon Ready warehouses at no extra cost to occupiers is a big step forward. “Incorporating additional design flexibility to enable them to transition to Net Zero Carbon operations more cost effectively should mean our developments stand the test of time.” Colin Morrison, head of sustainability at Turley, said: ‘We are proud to have supported the delivery of PLP’s commitment to climate leadership at Smithywood. “As long standing members of the UKGBC involved in the development of their Net Zero Carbon Buildings Framework, this project showcases our complementary capabilities in building performance, embodied carbon and the commercial delivery of net zero buildings.” Tom Popple, senior manager, Climate Change and Sustainability at Natural Capital Partners, said: “The built environment is looking for pioneering climate leaders that can move beyond compliance and take the urgent climate action now to reduce carbon emissions to net zero and achieve carbon neutrality. “This best in class approach is a testament to the vision and ambition of all involved.”

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Arrival of Warehouse and Industrial Space

A historic industrial site in Bevendean has been given a new lease of life after developer Charter Land transformed it into Brighton Works – the largest warehouse and industrial development to be brought to the city for 25 years. The building at The Hyde, Auckland Drive, previously housed Brighton Sheet Metal, which closed in 2018, but has now been extensively refurbished to a high standard, providing seven warehouse and industrial units. It brings much needed commercial space to the city, generating important local jobs, both for Bevendean and the wider Brighton area. Charles Sandy, Director of Charter Land, said: ”We are delighted to bring Brighton Works to life and to create an important central Brighton location for warehousing and light industrial businesses to answer the lack of good quality warehouse space in the city.  We are just finishing the development and we are delighted to announce our first letting to local produce distributor Sun Harvest.”  Brighton Works provides seven units, six of which are now available to occupy immediately on  competitive terms.  Located approximately three miles north east of the city centre near the A27, Lewes Road and Falmer Road, as well as Moulsecoomb Train Station, the site is well served by public transport. There is good parking and the units boast views of the South Downs. Units range in size from 1,750 sq ft to a combined total of 50,500 sq ft.

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Contractor Henry Brothers appointed to build £18.5 million joint police and fire HQ

Henry Brothers Midlands has won a contract to build a new £18.5 million joint headquarters for Nottinghamshire Police and Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service. The three-storey facility will be constructed on land behind the existing Nottinghamshire Police headquarters at Sherwood Lodge and is scheduled to open by the end of 2021. Work on the new building, which will include a control room, training centre, changing rooms, gym, canteen and shared offices, is expected to begin next month.  Once complete it will form part of a wider joint campus that will also include all of the existing police headquarters. After a competitive tendering process Nottingham-based Henry Brothers Midlands has been chosen to construct the new three-storey building. A formal contract was agreed today (Monday, 29 June). Since planning permission was granted in December 2019, a considerable amount of work has already taken place on this multi-phase project under the direction of construction consultancy Gleeds. The site, which will include a new access road, additional car parking and improvements to existing facilities, has already been levelled and cleared – ahead of time and below budget. Ian Taylor, Managing Director of Henry Brothers Midlands, said: “As a local company, we are delighted to have been appointed to build this new joint headquarters building for Nottinghamshire Police and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service. “Henry Brothers has a wealth of experience when it comes to public sector buildings and we are proud to have been selected to work on such a high profile and important project for our local emergency services.” Henry Brothers Midlands, based at Priory Court, Derby Road, Beeston, is part of The Henry Group, which comprises a number of manufacturing and construction sector companies, ranging from external construction through to interiors fit-out. The company has been involved in a number of major projects in Nottingham in recent years. It is currently building a new £9m four-storey Enterprise Innovation Centre at Nottingham Trent University’s City Campus – the third development undertaken by Henry Brothers Midlands for the university. In 2019 the company also completed a new £23m two-storey engineering facility at the university’s Clifton Campus, and also began work on a new Medical Technologies Innovation Facility (MTIF) on the same site. Other members of the construction team on the joint headquarters project for the emergency services include Gleeds for project management, cost consultancy and M&E services, YMD Boon as architect, and civil and structural engineering firm HWA. The joint headquarters project is the next step in a series of collaboration projects between the two services, which already share premises at Highfields, West Bridgford and London Road fire stations, and at the new tri-service hub in Hucknall. The two organisations also jointly procure fuel, have a shared drone and incident welfare vehicle, and conduct joint safety and educational initiatives. Chief Constable Craig Guildford said: “This is a significant day in the history of this project and also a good time to reflect on the huge amount of work that has taken place since we began preparing the ground once we got the planning decision at the back end of last year. “I want to thank all those involved in getting us to this point, ahead of schedule and under budget. It is great news to have been able to have formalised this partnership with a trusted local contractor. Their bid represents excellent value for money for taxpayers. I am delighted that we are able to support so many local jobs on site and in the wider supply chain in what I know is a very challenging time for local businesses.” Chief Fire Officer John Buckley said: “The appointment of a local contractor marks a significant step in the joint headquarters programme and is the culmination of a great amount of joint working between the two organisations to co-ordinate a robust and effective competitive tendering process. “Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service and Nottinghamshire Police have collaborated on a number of projects in recent years; our new joint headquarters is the next step in our collaboration journey and will pave the way for future partnership working for the benefit of the communities we serve.” Chair of the Fire Authority, Cllr Michael Payne, added: “This is fantastic news in what has, in recent months, undoubtedly been an extremely challenging time for our police and fire staff, the wider public sector and our communities across the whole of the city and county. “The appointment of a local company to build our new joint headquarters reinforces our commitment to the people of Nottinghamshire, and I look forward to the next phase of the project where we will start to see the redevelopment of Sherwood Lodge taking shape, and the relationship between the two organisations going from strength to strength.” Paddy Tipping, Nottinghamshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, said: “This is another big step towards the completion of this latest and biggest partnership project to date between two key emergency services.  It’s good news that a local company provided the best value for money in a very strict tender process as this means that local people will benefit.  I’m also delighted that despite the challenges of the last few months, the work to date has been completed ahead of schedule and under budget.  I am grateful to everyone who has worked hard to deliver this. “The two organisations have been collaborating for some time to improve both financial and operational efficiency and experience has proved that they work well together.  The new headquarters will bring numerous advantages, such as a better working environment for the workforce, eco-friendly elements and further development of the working relationship between the services. I’m looking forward to seeing the completed project.” For more information, visit www.henrybrothers.co.uk

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NETWORK SPACE DEVELOPMENT PROGRESSES ON SALFORD RAVEN LOCKS’ SCHEME

Steelwork now underway on the Ravenscraig Road site. Construction is now under way at the Raven Locks, a 172,000 sq ft speculative industrial scheme in Salford, following the appointment of Portal Construction NW Ltd as main contractors. Portal Construction NW were appointed to undertake works on the 14-acre Ravenscraig Road site, with completion anticipated for February 2021. Despite the challenges brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, the contractor has continued to make excellent progress on site and remains on programme. The completed scheme will offer 3 detached, self-contained units ranging from 29,500 – 61,000 sq ft along with a terrace of a further 3 units ranging from 11,000 – 19,000 sq ft. Each unit will comprise high quality warehouse space, extensive secure yards and dedicated carparking along with office accommodation and amenities. The larger units will also enjoy other benefits including 10 metre eaves height whilst the biggest unit will boast 5 dock level access doors as well as trailer parking spaces. Raven Locks is ideally situated in Little Hulton on the outskirts of Salford, with 2 miles of both Junction 3 and 4 of the M61 and close to Junction 15 of the M60. This gives easy access to Manchester city centre, Manchester International Airport and on to Liverpool and the south. The local demographic is also attractive to would-be tenants with access to an NVQ+ qualified workforce of 235,600 and potentially 6 million customers within a 60-minute drive radius. Network Space Development Director Joe Burnett said: “We are delighted to have appointed Portal Construction NW to deliver the Raven Locks scheme which will offer much-needed high quality modern industrial units in a very sought-after location. “The development will have a positive socioeconomic impact on the local and wider area by bringing a longstanding brownfield site back into use and provided accommodation for local businesses as well as attracting inward investment. We are encouraged by the level of enquiries so far and remain confident that we will continue to see strong demand for Raven Locks given the site’s positioning, connectivity across the North West, Greater Manchester and key transport hubs, as well as having access to a sizeable and qualified workforce within close proximity of the scheme.” Raven Locks is one of a series of developments being delivered by Network Space Developments across the North West in partnership with global investors, InfraRed Capital Partners. Architects on the scheme were AEW Architects. Asset and property management services have been awarded to industrial asset management specialists NSM. NSM has also been appointed as agents, along with JLL and DTRE. Scheme details are available at http://ravenlocks.co.uk/.

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New world leading Global Technology Centre for GKN Aerospace handed over at premier south west development

The new facility the latest building to be completed at popular and successful Horizon-38 mixed use development site at Filton in Bristol St Francis Group together with its development partner iSec has today announced that it has completed and handed over a new built to suit Global Technology Centre for GKN Aerospace at its Horizon-38 scheme at Filton in North Bristol. The state-of-the-art facility which comprises of a highly bespoke, built to suit facility extending to 110,000 sq. ft including 40,000 sq. ft of Grade A office accommodation has been pre-let to GKN Aerospace with funding provided by BP Pension Fund. Buckingham Group Contracting Ltd were the contractor, completing construction and handing over this week despite exceptional circumstances at this difficult time. Talking about the project Gareth Williams, Development Director at St Francis Group said: “When we were presented in 2017 with GKN Aerospace’s vision for a network of regional technology centres across the globe it was clear that this could be one of our more exciting development projects. It hasn’t let us down. We are delighted that Horizon-38 was selected as the location for this centre of excellence and for St Francis Group and iSec to have played a key role in the continued promotion of GKN Aerospace as a leading technology led global business.” Going on to say “The Global Technology Centre will enable GKN Aerospace to create a world leading facility for research particularly in the areas of wing configuration and construction, meaning intellectual property, skills and knowledge is retained in the UK. Also commenting, Jane Leedham, Estates Director at GKN Aerospace said: “For such a high-profile project with a continually evolving brief, it was essential that we found a development partner with a delivery team that was both flexible and extremely capable. In return for a long-term commitment from GKN Aerospace, we were able to secure a bespoke research and development facility to rival all others.” Horizon38 was acquired by a joint venture between St Francis Group and iSec late in 2015 and since then nearly 500,000 sq ft of new high-quality warehouse space has been built in addition to a new Village hotel and Selco trade counters. A new Sytner Car Shop is under construction and a further pre-let just announced with Volvo Cars UK for a new flagship car dealership For further information visit : https://horizon38.com/

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Construction begins on new hangar at London Biggin Hill Airport

STRUCTURAL steel firm John Reid & Sons Ltd (REIDsteel) and design and build specialists Civils Contracting Ltd (Civils) have started work on another major new business aircraft service centre at London Biggin Hill Airport. The REIDsteel and Civils partnership has been successfully delivering aircraft hangars for over 20 years. The state-of-the-art development for Bombardier Aviation will comprise a hangar of nearly 250,000 sq ft, including workshops and office space, plus 650,000 sq ft of apron area, car park and external works. The service centre will be capable of housing up to 14 Global 7500s at any one time, and provides a significant expansion of Bombardier’s service facilities at London Biggin Hill Airport. Dorset-based REIDsteel is providing design, drawing, fabrication and construction services for all steelwork, wall cladding, roof cladding, glazing and hangar doors – for main contractor Civils Contracting Ltd. Civils has already started the site works with extensive clearance, reduced dig and ground engineering works. The first steel reinforced cages are now being installed in readiness for the pouring of the foundations which have to resist the 2000T uplift loads that the 45m cantilever rafter trusses will create. The development is due to complete in 2022. REIDsteel Project Director Richard Hanson said: “From our early beginnings making hangars for the famous French airman Louis Bleriot, REIDsteel has worked with aviation pioneers. “We are proud to support Bombardier and London Biggin Hill on this latest, exciting development with Civils Contracting Ltd. “It highlights our ability to provide more than just the steel frame with design, fabrication and construction of essential parts of the building envelope, including cladding, curtain walling, decking and our own aircraft hangar doors. “Civils has an exceptional reputation and hold values to match our own. We are delighted to be working with them once again.” The new service centre will be REIDsteel’s 11th hangar at the airfield. It will use products sources from its primary/preferred supplier British Steel, including 1600 tonnes of steel and 300,000 sq ft of cladding. Nick Weaver, Civils Project Director, said: “The development of this state-of-the-art service centre marks another phase in the impressive growth of both Bombardier and London Biggin Hill Airport. “They are both icons of aviation, and we are delighted to support their commitment to providing customers with industry leading services. “Together with REIDsteel, we look forward to delivering a high-specification development which will represent a major investment in the region and boost for the economy.” Tonbridge-based Civils, founded in 1997, provides construction services across a wide variety of sectors, including industrial buildings, health and medical centre development, car parks, hangars, stores, commercial units and residential property. REIDsteel specialises in providing entire steel frame and building envelope solutions all under one roof. Thanks to its in-house capabilities and expertise, it is regularly contracted to design, manufacture and supply complete steel structures including the cladding, glazing, louvres and staircases for projects anywhere in the UK,  Europe and across the world. Visit www.reidsteel.com for more details.

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NSM LETS FINAL UNITS AT PLATINUM COURT, ALCHEMY BUSINESS PARK, KNOWSLEY

Industrial asset management specialists NSM has fully let Platinum Court, on the Alchemy Business Park, Knowsley, securing The Vella Group for the last two vacant units on a 10-year lease. Terms have been agreed for the 15,700 sq. ft, space with the family-owned Group, one of the largest independent vehicle repair groups in the UK. With seven other sites stretching from Leominster to Workington, a prominent Knowsley branch will help strengthen The Vella Group’s growing regional network. NSM Head of Property for the North West, Dave Harrison said: “Now fully let, the scheme is helping to regenerate a significantly deprived area and create new job opportunities for local people. The Vella Group has an excellent reputation both as an employer and quality repair business and we are delighted that they have committed to Platinum Court.” As part of Alchemy Business Park, Platinum Court is conveniently located just off the A580, and less than 0.5miles from the M57. The high-quality development comprises 10 units giving a total of 93,000 sq. ft of industrial space, with units ranging from 6,775 to 21,363 sq. ft. for B1, B2 & B8 light and general industrial and warehousing uses. Each unit has its own secure gated yards and alarm systems as well as being covered by the wider estate’s CCTV security network. Heating to the industrial units is via roof mounted gas fired blown warm air units whilst the offices are individually thermostatically controlled for work space comfort and convenience. The Vella Group Operations Director, Mike Sarsfield added: “As part of our ongoing growth plans, we wanted to expand our footprint into the Liverpool area. The location of Platinum Court provides with great access to the greater Liverpool area, and also further afield with the M58 close by. The premises itself is modern, secure and really fits with the image we want to portray for a professional repair centre. I would like to thank the NSM team for what has been a smooth and supportive experience getting into the new site, it’s very much appreciated.” The Vella Group will join existing tenants Smith News Trading Ltd, National Grid Gas PLC and Applied Medical UK Ltd.  As an industrial asset management specialist NSM managing more than 4.3million sq. ft of industrial property across the north. It currently looks after 460 units nationally with a rent roll in excess of £14m. About NSM: NSM manages over 4 million sq. ft of industrial property across the north of England. Looking after 460 units and a rent roll in excess of £14million. The value of the assets under management is estimated at £237 million. Formerly part of Network Space, in 2019 NSM launched as an independent business. Based in Doncaster and Warrington, NSM provides property and asset management, agency and property consultancy advice to a range of clients across the north of England.

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NSM APPOINTED TO MANAGE MAGNA 34 BUSINESS PARK

NSM has been appointed by InfraRed Capital Partners to property and asset manage its Magna 34 Business Park.  An industrial scheme near Sheffield, NSM will also provide agency services, helping to secure new tenants for the forthcoming multi-million pound development.  Magna 34 Business Park comprises of a mixture of units totalling in excess of 120,000 sq ft, which includes two existing units that are already occupied comprising 47,000 sq ft. A stand-alone 35,000 sq ft new build and a further 40,000 sq ft, which will be developed as a smaller multi-let industrial scheme providing units ranging in size from 2,000 to 4,500 sq ft, will soon be delivered. This is thought to be one of the only small to medium sized speculative industrial developments in the local area to come forwards in 2020, as the only other scheme underway provides in excess of 5,000 sq ft units.  Helen Gordon, Associate Director at NSM, said: “Magna 34 is an established business park with a high profile location close to Sheffield and Rotherham, with easy access to the M1. There is a shortage of industrial land and with most developers focusing on larger units, there is significant demand for businesses seeking well-located space for small and medium sized enterprises. As a result, I expect this new development at Magna 34 will be very popular.” Planning has already been secured for the 35,000 sq ft unit and, subject to planning permission being secured for the smaller units, construction work will commence within the next three to six months. It is expected to be a nine month build programme. Magna 34 is a well-established business park on Sheffield Road close to Junction 34, M1 and offers easy access to Sheffield. It is already home to occupiers including Parcelforce, UK Mail and Element Materials Technology Sheffield Ltd. This additional 122,000 sq ft of space will be property and asset managed by the Yorkshire based NSM team, adding value to InfraRed’s portfolio. NSM already looks after £237.5 million of property assets across more than 4million sq ft of space comprising 669 industrial properties in the north of England.

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NSM completes South Yorkshire letting to Hermes in a record five days

Industrial asset management specialist NSM has let an additional unit to global logistics giant Hermes –  with the deal from initial enquiry to occupation taking just five days. As demand for logistic and industrial space grows during the covid-19 crisis, NSM was initially approached by Hermes with a speculative enquiry on Monday April 27 for expansion space at the Vector 31 Industrial Park, close to Junction 31 of the M1. A viewing was arranged, and Head of Terms were finalised within 24 hours. The lease was agreed and signed a day later with Hermes taking occupation of the 11,650 sq. ft unit on Friday May 1st. NSM Managing Director Nicky Jones said: “Demand for quality logistics and industrial space is huge at the moment but even in our most optimistic moment we never thought we would be able to deliver a deal like this in such a tight timeframe. I am incredibly proud of the NSM team and our partners for making a 5-day turnaround possible, it really shows how agile our business is. “We are obviously delighted to assist a current tenant and we have also been able to offer flexible leasing terms that suit their current business demands.” Vector 31 offers nine high quality modern industrial units with gated yards, centrally heated offices, dedicated car parking, heating and lighting in the warehousing areas, as well as 7m high eaves. As an industrial asset management specialist NSM manages more than 4.3million sq. ft of industrial property across the north. It currently looks after 669 units nationally with a rent roll in excess of £14m. David McPherson, Head of Depots said “We’re delighted that NSM has been able to support Hermes with a quick turnaround on the letting. Our business is incredibly agile and needs to have the ability to quickly scale up when demand is high, the pandemic has accelerated the shift from the high street to online. Additional pop-up depots like these give us the opportunity to operate safely and continue to support our clients so we can meet demand from the end customer and in turn support the government’s guidance to stay home wherever possible.”

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GAZELEY LEASES 186,000 SQ FT UNIT AT MAGNA PARK LUTTERWORTH TO BLECKMANN

Gazeley, a leading investor and developer of logistics warehouses and distribution parks, today announces the lease of a 186,000 SQ FT unit at its Magna Park Lutterworth site to Bleckmann, a market leader in Supply Chain Management (SCM) services for the fashion and lifestyle brands. The unit has been leased on a long term lease and will serve as Bleckmann’s new distribution centre in the UK. Tornado 186 is a 186,000 SQ FT unit and has been designed to include a range of leading sustainability features, including online energy dashboards to help customers monitor energy usage, as well as rainwater harvesting and technology to optimise the use of natural light. Magna Park Lutterworth is the UK’s first and Europe’s largest dedicated logistics and distribution park. It is currently undergoing development to expand the park from 9 million SQ FT of floor space to nearly 16 million SQ FT in the coming years. Gazeley is also developing a series of new amenities, including wellness and recreation facilities as well as the new Logistics Institute of Technology (LIT). Magna Park, Lutterworth benefits from excellent transport links to the rest of the UK, with 59.3 million people, or 85% of the UK population, within a four hour drive of the development as a result of its easy access to the M1, M6 and M69 motorways. Joe Garwood, Development Director, Gazeley, said: “We are delighted to announce Bleckmann as the newest member of our customer community and look forward to growing our partnership with them in the years to come”. Situated in the heart of the “UK’s Logistics Golden Triangle”, Magna Park Lutterworth is an iconic development, ideally suited to serve the fast-expanding supply chain operations of today’s distribution companies. Four further units on our Magna Park South Lutterworth comprising 746,000 SQ FT, 300,000 SQ FT, 126,000 SQ FT and 98,000 SQ FT will be available for occupancy in Autumn 2020.”

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