Big names sign for 806,000 sq ft of speculative logistics space

A 1.7 million sq ft logistics park in Northampton is now fully let after deals were struck with iForce and Hotel Chocolat for the last two units.

iForce, the UK’s fastest growing e-fulfilment, carriage management and returns recovery provider, has signed a 10-year lease for a 376,915 sq ft facility at at Panattoni Park and Hotel Chocolat, the premium British chocolatier and cacao grower, has signed a 10-year lease for a 429,107 sq ft facility.

The two lettings follow that to 4PX Express, the global logistics company, which signed a 15-year lease for a 250,000 sq ft facility in November last year, and the success of the first phase of 625,000 sq ft, which was pre-let to Eddie Stobart Logistics, owned by Culina Group.

Oliver Bertram, development director at Panattoni, said: “Letting over one million sq ft to three different companies in just five months reflects the importance of Northampton as a logistics location and the attraction of the park to occupiers.

“We are experiencing high occupier demand for immediately available logistics space, which justifies our commitment to a major speculative development programme in the UK.”

Paul Thirkell, managing director of iForce, said: “iForce is absolutely delighted to have secured a new facility at Panattoni Park Northampton, which will help to facilitate the significant growth the business is experiencing. The location is of strategic importance within our network and located next to three other Culina Group warehouses, creating significant synergies across the group companies.”

Letting agents for Panattoni were Savills and Burbage Realty.

iForce was advised by Roebuck and Hotel Chocolat was advised by Bidwells.