Investor and manufacturer snap up two commercial properties

A pair of significant industrial property deals have been brokered along the M62 corridor, in West Yorkshire.

Leeds-based property consultancy Dove Haigh Phillips (DHP) advised Boxford on the sale of Boxford House at Elland to a Jersey-based investor and also Halco Brighouse on the lease of its 60,000 sq ft headquarters at Armytage Road, Brighouse, to emergency vehicle specialist Venari group.

The Jersey investor paid a figure well in excess of the £3.9m asking price for the 50,727 sq ft Boxford House, which has subsequently been let to St Gobain.

DHP partner, Mike Haigh, said: “This was a notable West Yorkshire double for us. Not only did we sell Boxford House on behalf of mechanical engineers Boxford, but we represented tool manufacturer Halco Brighouse on the transfer on their lease at Armytage Road.

“Following on from these deals, we then acquired smaller premises for both Halco Brighouse and Boxford in West Yorkshire.

“These deals suited all parties perfectly, reflecting the confidence in the industrial property sector in West Yorkshire, as well as in the region’s economy.

“The deals also underline that the M62 corridor is now one of the hotspots for industrial property in West Yorkshire, providing swift access to both the East Coast and the West Coast ports, as well as linking in to the UK’s superb motorway network.

“We were especially delighted with the price achieved for Boxford House in Elland.

“There were a number of parties interested in the building, which finally resulted in the investors acquisition.

“This was one of the highest freehold sales for second-hand industrial premises in the region during the past year.”

DHP partner Simon Dove explained the Venari Group was launching a new manufacturing facility on its new Brighouse site, creating 70 specialist engineering and coachbuilding jobs.

Following an investment of £4m, the Brighouse headquarters will allow Venari to expand into wider emergency services and security markets in the UK and globally.

Dove explained: “This is a quality industrial unit, with more than 8,000 sq ft of excellent office facilities.

“The site will provide the perfect platform for Venari to expand, creating sustainable jobs which will boost the economy of the surrounding area.

“When we put the building on the market, there was serious interest immediately, due to its quality and to the lack of supply in the immediate area.”