Property: B&M, Evans Property Group, SDL Construction Management
LAW firm Gordons has helped retailer B&M secure leases on two warehouses, totalling 810,000 sq ft, set to create 500 jobs in the Cheshire area.
The sites are a 350,000 sq ft Onyx 350 facility in Runcorn and a 460,000 sq ft distribution centre in Middlewich.
The Liverpool-based retailer has 444 UK stores and turns over £1.6bn.
B&M was advised on both deals by Gordons commercial property partner, Joanne Fearnley. She has acted for the company on all its property matters, and principally on its store acquisition programme, for over 10 years.
When Ms Fearnley began working with B&M, the retailer had only a small number of North West sites.
B&M’s chief executive, Simon Arora, said: “To provide our shoppers with exceptional value, we must have a highly efficient supply chain infrastructure in place.
“The new distribution warehouses are essential to achieving that objective. Advice provided by Joanne Fearnley and the team at Gordons regarding the sites has enabled us to secure the warehouses quickly and on acceptable terms.
“Gordons understands retail, and B&M in particular, which means its people are able to act quickly and think entrepreneurially on our behalf. These latest deals are great examples of Gordons’ highly effective approach.”
Gordons’ Joanne Fearnley commented: “As one of the UK’s fastest growing retailers, B&M requires legal services delivered with precision and pace. Our long-standing relationship with the business means we instinctively know how to work with B&M to provide commercially-focused advice.”
Gordons’ retail clients include Morrisons, Bosideng, Buy It Direct, Card Factory, Iceland, Charles Tyrwhitt, Freeman Grattan, Greenwoods, Original Factory Shop, Pavers Shoes, and The West Cornwall Pasty Company.
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Car specification firm CAP Automotive have expanded their headquarters at Bond Court, taking their Leeds office space to 14,500 sq ft.
Evans Property Group owns the Capitol office building in Bond Court which CAP occupies.
Last year, CAO was bought out by US firm Solera Holdings. CAP has been located in Capitol for 19 years and just over 100 of its total 166 staff occupy 11,000 sq ft there, which will be augmented by a further 3,500 sq ft.
Ajay Handa, finance director at CAP Automotive Ltd said; “Capitol has long been a successful home for our business. Proximity to great transport links and the city centre make it an ideal location for our growing teams of office staff and Evans’ investment into the building and the surrounding area further strengthens its appeal. “
Alan Syers, portfolio director at Evans Property Group, said; “It is fantastic news that one of Leeds’ leading businesses has chosen to commit to the city with more office space within Capitol.
“Our ambitious plans to transform Bond Court into a stylish urban destination are right on track and it is great to see both new and existing occupiers supporting our vision.”
JLL and CBRE are agents on Capitol and CAP Automotive was represented by Sanderson Weatherall
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SDL Construction Management has announced that they have broken ground on a new headquarters for the Yorkshire based charity, Mercy Ministries UK.
The creation of the ‘Cornerstone Centre’, designed by HPA Architecture and project managed by Batty France, within their existing grounds, will give them more space to expand their excellent work of helping and supporting vulnerable young women from across the UK.
