National fresh food distribution company Fresh Direct has bought the freehold of a 2,511sq m unit at Bicester Park, Oxfordshire, from Kier Property. Fresh Direct, whose recent contracts include Scottish and Newcastle, Whitbread and Debenhams, already occupies a 3,720sq m building on the park so the additional site gives it 6,231sq m in total.
Specialising in the distribution of fresh fruit and vegetables, Fresh Direct is splitting the new unit between cold storage and specialist areas for ripening exotic fruit, and a product development centre.
Work has just started on the site and practical completion is scheduled for December.
John Harris, of Fresh Direct, says: “Over the last few years we have trebled our turnover and the new unit will enable us to keep up with the demand for distributing nationwide and also to explore new market lines in exotic fruit and vegetables with our specialist facilities at Bicester.”
The deal leaves the last remaining phase at Bicester Park, which can accommodate units of up to 16,740sq m on either leasehold or freehold terms. Located near the M40 and A34, Kier Property says there has already been considerable interest in the remaining site.
