Disused industrial properties snapped up by restaurant chain and department store
Bradford-based family businesses, MyLahore British Asian Kitchen and the South Asian UK department store chain Janan, have together bought five units on the Thornton Road Industrial Estate from Bradford Council.
The firms, who between them employ several hundred people, now plan to invest in redevelopment of the properties, which have been out of use for several years, to create space for new industrial units for their growing online and events businesses. Surplus space will be let out to other companies.
Property consultant Eddisons was appointed by Bradford City Council to market the 25,000 sq ft properties.
Eddisons associate director, Matt Jennings, said: “This industrial complex has been disused for too long and we were really pleased to sell this asset to two great Bradford businesses on behalf of the city council.
“We had a huge amount of interest in the property with more than 40 potential buyers attending one of the open days, which is indicative of the continued strength of the industrial market and shortage of supply for quality industrial space in Bradford.
“It will be great to see the firms’ investment and redevelopment plans take shape, bringing this strategic industrial site back up to a good standard and creating new jobs for the city.”
British-Asian restaurant chain MyLahore was founded in Bradford in 2002 and has established family owned restaurants in Manchester and Leeds, Birmingham and Blackburn.
Launched in 2011 in Bradford, South Asian department store Janan has championed leading Asian designers and fashion brands, and has now has 12 stores across the UK, including in London, Birmingham and Glasgow,
MyLahore managing director, Shakoor Ahmed, said: “Both MyLahore and Janan are proud to be based in Bradford, although we now have sites all over the UK.
“This acquisition is part of our continued investment in city and demonstrates our confidence in it as a great place to do business.
“We are confident our investment in the warehouse space will have a positive impact on the local community and economy, as well as to our own businesses, and we’re looking forward to working with the council on future projects that enhance Bradford.”
