Growth in online trade drives expansion for SMEs

Acting on behalf of the Merseyside Pension Fund, Legat Owen has secured a new letting at unit four on Premier Park, Winsford, to Wares of Knutsford, on a 10-year lease.

The supplier of home baking and preserving equipment, occupied a retail unit in Knutsford but, due to the huge demand for its products, the company needed to take the 10,120 sq ft unit to support its expansion.

The deal comes after Shirt Monkey relocated from unit four to take unit two (24,000 sq ft) to also facilitate the growth of its online business.

Matt Pochin, director at Legat Owen, joint agents for the scheme with CBRE, said: “These deals are reflective of the significant change in retailing and it is positive news for those SME businesses which are trading online.

“Due to the lack of accommodation available, we are also noticing the speed of deals being completed, with Wares moving into the unit the same day Shirt Monkey relocated to unit four, being a prime example.”

Andrew Willoughby, director at CBRE in Liverpool, which manages the fund, said: “We are pleased that Premier Park is fully let again.

“These deals illustrate how important the park is in being able to attract SMEs to Winsford and support their expansion.

“Shirt Monkey and Wares have both adapted positively to the growing demand for online shopping and we are pleased they have chosen Premier Park as the location to continue their growth.”

Premier Park fronts Road One of the Winsford Industrial Estate.

The southern end of Road One links with the A54 Middlewich Road, which, in turn, provides access to the M6 motorway at Junction 18.

Alternatively, at the northern end of Road One the A533 provides access to the A556 Northwich by-pass which links to Junction 19 of the M6 motorway.

Wares was unrepresented.

Merseyside Pension Fund is the landlord of Premier Park.