Planning deal paves the way for relocation of Birmingham’s Wholesale Markets
DEVELOPER IM Properties has successfully secured planning permission for an 18 acre development that paves the way for the relocation of Birmingham’s historic Wholesale Markets.
The consent covers land at The Hub in Witton, a major distribution and industrial site on the outskirts of the city which has the capacity to provide over 1.6 million sq ft of employment space and create over 2,100 employment opportunities.
IM Properties will now begin development of the bespoke facility, which will occupy in excess of 240,000 sq ft.
Richard Lawrence, IM Properties, said: “We are understandably delighted to have secured planning consent for this modern prestigious new facility which will provide the new home for the Birmingham Wholesale Markets.
“The existing Wholesale Markets facility is over 40 years old and no longer fit for purpose, and working with Birmingham City Council we have secured what will be the next successful chapter for these vital markets.
“The location, transport links and the solution offered by IM as a delivery partner made the site a perfect fit for this operation and we are now looking forward to delivering the building in late 2016.”
The relocation of the Wholesale Markets, the largest combined wholesale food market in the UK, from its existing home on Pershore Street will clear the way for Birmingham City Council to begin delivery of its £500m, 34 acre mixed-use Smithfield Development.
It has been a busy year for The Hub, with construction already under way on two new speculative industrial units on the site, which was acquired by IM Properties in 2013.
Totalling 110,230 sq ft, Hub 54 and Hub 55 will be built to a high specification and are due to be completed and ready for occupation in the first quarter of 2016. A new signalised junction at the entrance to the estate, fronting onto Witton Lane, is also being installed and will provide improved access on to the local road network.
Existing occupiers at The Hub include Laidlaw Interiors, IMI, Timet, and Iron Mountain.
IM Properties were advised by Savills, Knight Frank and CBRE, who act as joint agents on the scheme.
