Birmingham industrial parks remain popular
MIDLANDS-based home furnishings retailer Lee Longlands has taken 42,000 sq ft of warehouse space at Standard Life Investments’ Gravelly Industrial Park in a deal brokered by joint agents DTZ and Phoenix Beard.
Jonathan Robinson, associate director in DTZ’s industrial agency team, said: “This is great news for Standard Life Investments’ Birmingham industrial portfolio, which also includes Elmdon Industrial Park.
“This latest deal with Lee Longlands continues the steady stream of lettings achieved throughout 2009, which amounted to around 9% of the industrial take-up in Birmingham during that period.”
He said both parks remained popular with companies, despite being 30 years old. One reason is thought to be the tough security measures implemented on the sites which have contributed to the estates having one of the lowest crime rates in the area.
Amenities include 24-hour access, security monitoring, mobile patrols, number plate access control systems and manned gate houses.
“Standard Life Investments are extremely keen to work with occupiers to provide the best possible opportunities and the results speak for themselves,” he added.
Christian Smith, Phoenix Beard’s director of industrial agency, said the estates’ close proximity to the regional motorway network was also a plus. Another was the flexible system of leases available.
“Standard Life Investments also has a flexible and customer-orientated approach to attracting tenants,” he said.
“Gone are fixed 15 or 25 year leases, with the average lease length now reflecting occupiers’ desire to be able to respond quickly to changing business circumstances. Both Gravelly and Elmdon offer competitive prices and stepped rent/rent free incentives to aid new business through this difficult trading period.”
The estates currently offer varying unit sizes from 2,000 sq ft through to 25,000 sq ft and up to 200,000 sq ft on a design and build basis. The full list is available to view on www.birminghamindustrial.co.uk .
