The Hut ‘closing in’ on HQ deal

ONLINE retail group The Hut is understood to be very close to deciding between Airport City and Omega in Warrington for its new headquarters base.

The firm, based at Gadbrook Park near Northwich, wants some 50,000 sq ft of offices and a 500,000 sq ft warehouse on a design and build basis.

Manchester-based P3 Property Consultants has been leading the search since last summer, but declined to comment.

The group currently has two warehouses at Stretton near Warrington which are on short leases ahead of a planned move to a purpose-built site in 2016.

Last month Omega Warrington Ltd (OWL) lodged an outline application for 2.1 million sq ft of manufacturing and logistics space on the part of Omega to the south of the M62. The Hut is looking at space here and at Airport City South, also known as the World Logistics Hub, which has planning for 1.4 million sq ft of industrial space but is currently agricultural land.

The Hut, which is focused primarily on the lifestyle and health and beauty sectors, is understood to be making its final choice this month.