Birmingham property investor swoops for Joules distribution centre in multimillion-pound deal

Hortons’ Estate has sealed a multimillion-pound deal for the Northamptonshire distribution centre of Market Harborough-based retailer, Joules.

Hortons has bought the 20-acre acre site on Oakley Hay Industrial Estate, Saxon Way West in Corby.

The site comprises two distribution warehouse buildings of around 275,000 sq ft which are let to Joules. The deal also includes around 3.2 acres of open storage land with development potential, which is currently let to TUTS (UK).

James Slater of Hortons said that once the current leases come to an end, the company intends to “significantly improve” the existing buildings and develop further industrial/warehouse accommodation.

The acquisition follows Hortons’ recent multimillion-pound purchase of Sinfin Commercial Park, an industrial and logistics estate near Derby city centre.

Slater said: “This is an excellent site in a strategic East Midlands location. It offers the prospect of future rental growth as well as being extremely well positioned for future development.

“Over the next 24 months we will be carrying out a series of improvements to the existing buildings that will provide occupiers with grade A accommodation with enhanced sustainability, through the reuse of the main building elements. Our hope is that the site will retain existing distribution jobs in Corby and create new employment opportunities.

“We are continuing to expand our investment and development portfolio in the Midlands, with a particular focus on high-quality industrial and logistics locations with development potential.”

Hortons was advised by Antony Leech of TT&G Partners.