Sports World International (SWI) has bought 62 acres of serviced development land at Brookpark which will see the construction of one of the largest distribution centres in the UK. The land was sold on behalf of East Midlands Development Agency by DTZ’s Nottingham Industrial & Logistics team.
SWI, whose brands including Sports Soccer, Donnay, Dunlop Slazenger and Karrimor, has secured planning consent for a 130,200sq m distribution centre.
Brookpark is a former coalfield comprising 93 acres of B1/B2/B8 development land located about six miles from J29 of the M1. SWI chose it because the location boasts a strong labour supply and significant cost savings over equivalent sites within the South-east. The site has undergone a three-year, £35M reclamation programme funded by English Partnerships and the European Union. The scheme has included major infrastructure improvements to improve access to the A617 and on to the M1.
Matthew Smith, associate director within DTZ’s Nottingham office, comments: “This transaction is on of the largest distribution projects in the UK and highlights the viability of the East Midlands as a location for this type and scale of development. With increased pressure from retailers and the logistics industry to obtain maximum cost efficiencies in their supply chains, large-scale facilities within low cost locations such as this are becoming highly sought after.”
There is about 21 acres of freehold land still available that will be of interest to owner-occupiers and developers.
Smith adds: “The remaining plots represent a rare opportunity for both occupiers and developers to acquire freehold sites along the popular East Midlands M1 corridor. Plots are available from 0.26ha (0.64ac) upwards.”
