‘Multiply’ development at Logistics North starting to take shape
Steelwork is now out of the ground on the next phase of Harworth Group’s Logistics North development in Bolton – the North West’s largest live commercial scheme that will deliver four million sq ft of new distribution and management space.
Buckingham Group has begun the construction of three units – ranging in size from 46,803sq ft to 65,198sq ft – as part of the first phase of Logistics North’s ‘Multiply’ development.
Multiply is being delivered by a joint venture known as ‘Multiply Logistics North’ between Harworth and the Lancashire County Pension Fund – advised by Local Pension Partnership and Knight Frank Investment Management – constructing ten commercial units totalling approximately 564,000sq ft across 31.2 acres over the next two years.
These first three units are expected to be completed and ready for occupation in November 2017.
Harworth has also started the construction of two other commercial units, of 27,500sq ft, and 24,750sq ft, that will be ready for occupation at the beginning of 2018. Retained agents for all new commercial units are B8 Real Estate and JLL.
This month will also see the completion of two other developments at the site, with the opening of Greene King’s new ‘Pine Tree Farm’ pub on August 21 and the opening of a new Costa drive-thru facility close to the entrance of the site.
These milestones follow a series of developments in rapid succession on-site in 2017. In January, Whistl – the second largest postal operator in the UK – announced its decision to take a ten-year lease on M&G’s Logistics 225 unit, with more than 300 staff beginning work from its new depot from May to expand its existing mail, packet and parcel and ecommerce business.
At the end of June, Olympic cycling gold medallist Jason Kenny also opened Aldi’s new c. 18,500sq ft store that will employ around 30 members of staff on a plot immediately adjacent to Junction 4 of the M61.
Aldi already employs 550 staff at the development within its 610,00 sq ft regional distribution centre, which opened in April 2016 and features a whole floor dedicated to the Academy, Aldi’s recruitment and training department.
Since it received outline planning consent at the end of December, 2013, 2.5msq ft of commercial space has already been built, under construction or committed to be constructed at Logistics North, with more than 1,500 people already employed on the site. Land for just 1.5m sq ft of commercial development remains available.
Chris Davidson, associate director of major Projects at Harworth Group, said:
“It has taken us just three and a half years to get to this position, where three quarters of the Logistics North is built or in-build. We are justifiably proud of what the site has become and we will continue to work hard to get all of these units ready on-time to bring further jobs to Bolton and the region.”
John Styles, partner at Knight Frank Investment Management, added: “Getting steelwork out of the ground is always one of the most exciting milestones in any commercial development and we’re pleased that everything remains on-track for all three ‘Multiply’ units to be completed by November. High specification new commercial space remains at a premium in the North West and we are confident we can meet pent-up demand in the region.”
Bolton Council leader Cllr Cliff Morris said:
“We are delighted that Logistics North continues to provide further employment opportunities for our residents and I am sure more high-quality companies will relocate to the development once these new units are completed.”
L-R Chris Davidson(HWG), Piers Windsor(KFIM), John Styles(KFIM) and Ian Ball(HWG
