Five small warehouse units developed at trading estate

A development of five small warehouse units has been completed at Thorp Arch Estate and fully let during the coronavirus pandemic, leaving only one new unit available at the entire 385-acre site.

Construction work on the latest 10,693 sq ft scheme, near Wetherby, which is close to the estate’s entrance and comprises Units 155 (A+B) to Unit 158, started in November 2019. It completed at the end of the summer.

Estate owner, Patrizia Hanover Property Unit Trust, went ahead with the £700,000 scheme, which redeveloped part of the original 1941 wartime munitions factory after existing estate tenant, kitchen and bedroom furniture retailer, Buywell Interiors, pre-let the 2,456 sq ft Unit 155 (A+B).

The other units, ranging from 5,779 sq ft to 1,229 sq ft, which feature roller-shutter doors, offices, beverage areas, LED lighting, disability compliant washrooms and fibre connections to the estate’s superfast broadband, were let quickly to businesses including Silverfox, Glass Living Doors and Shield Access Solutions.

The only new-build unit now available on the estate, which has 2m sq ft of business space, is at the 9,000 sq ft Unit 7, Ash Way III, a seven-metre high warehouse.

Buywell Interiors, run by husband-and-wife team, Michelle and Simon Procter, has been on the estate for 12 years but relocated to the new scheme to gain more showroom space for its kitchen and bedroom furniture range.

Michelle Procter said: “Our new unit is  warm, bright and airy and the perfect location and environment to display our range of kitchens and bedroom furniture.

“It is visible from the main entrance road and will hopefully attract lots of passing trade, as well as being easy to find for our existing customers.”

Contractor for the latest scheme was Arcon Construction, while property consultants and building surveyors, LHL Group, acted as the contract administrator and project manager.

Tim Munns, director of estate manager, Wharfedale Property Management, said: “Despite the considerable challenges from Covid-19, the latest units were completed within budget and fully let within weeks, which is testament to the skill and perseverance all those involved in the development.

“In spite of the pandemic, demand for warehouse and distribution space remains strong.”