Food group combines operations after 70,000 sq ft site deal

One of Europe’s largest independent suppliers of sugars, sweeteners, dairy products, oils and fats to the food manufacturing industry is expanding its operations after signing up to 70,000 sq ft facility in Leeds.

Sprint 70 in Hunslet has been leased to Kent Foods, in a deal which sees the company combine its sites previously located in Garforth and Normanton.

The unit was formerly occupied by food producer Symingtons, has been taken on a sublease expiring in 2027.

Rob Oliver, director at the Leeds office of GVA who brokered the deal, said: “We were pleased to be instructed by Kent Foods to advise the company on the search and acquisition of new premises in the Leeds or Wakefield area.

“Acquisition instructions are always interesting, but it is particularly positive to be advising manufacturers on expanding their production facilities. The current market with its shortage of stock suits landlords rather than tenants, and so options can sometimes be quite limited.

“In this case, we had a handful of options which could have worked, but Sprint 70 suited our client’s needs best. Having previously advised the landlord on the marketing of the unit, resulting in its letting to Symingtons, I was very familiar with it and found it interesting to subsequently acquire the unit on a sublease back from them.”

FLJ acted for Symingtons.