Drinks company thirsty for expansion with distribution hub development

CONSTRUCTION work is underway on a giant distribution hub at Thorp Arch Estate near Wetherby.

Hull-based construction company Hobson & Porter has been awarded the contract to build the 62,925 sq ft depot for drinks distributer Matthew Clark Wholesale, which is relocating from Dunnington near York.

Property and construction consultants LHL Group, based in York, will manage the construction for Thorp Arch Estate owner, Rockspring Hanover Property Unit Trust.

Unit 512 will be the third biggest unit on the 385-acre Thorp Arch Estate and the largest warehouse that Rockspring Hanover Property Unit Trust has built for a new tenant.

The new distribution hub, which will be ready for occupation this summer, will feature nine dock levellers, two level-entry goods access doors, a large goods yard and 6,350 sq ft of office space.

Matthew Clark Wholesale, which has its national headquarters in Bristol, has more than 200 years’ experience of supplying drinks, hospitality training, labour management and marketing support to more than 16,000 premises in the UK and will relocate 90 staff to Thorp Arch Estate.

Hobson & Porter has also been appointed to build seven new speculative industrial units and a purpose-designed, 12,800 sq ft office and laboratory extension for biotechnology company, Avacta Group.

The new light industrial units, which are expected to be ready by June, will comprise four units of 3,000 sq ft each and three units of 4,000 sq and will extend the existing Ash Way development.

Contracts manager at Hobson & Porter, Alex Edwards, said: “We are looking　forward to a mutually beneficial relationship with Rockspring on the Thorp Arch Estate and are　thrilled　to be extending our operations into North Yorkshire. We have a dedicated and experienced team to deliver the　two schemes and are looking　forward to　developing a long-term alliance with the estate and its owners　during the coming years.”

Director of Wharfedale Property Management, which manages the estate, Tim Munns, added: “We’re pleased to be working with Hobson & Porter who have started work on the significant new-build schemes. The new buildings will provide quality accommodation and continue the process of redeveloping and upgrading the buildings on the estate which is Leeds’ largest employment site North of the city.”