B&Q's Swindon Distribution Centre ready early

B&Q will take possession of its 796,649 sq ft distribution centre at G Park Swindon on the A419 at South Marston from Gazeley two months earlier than promised

Last year, Gazeley began to develop a distribution facility for B&Q’s southern stores that it planned to hand over in phases by July. However, B&Q will now have the entire building by April. Work begins on laying the floors next month.

The remaining land there can accommodate a shed of 440,000 sq ft and another of 110,000 sq ft. “Deliverability is the key,” says Gazeley’s development director, Charles Blake. “The buildings have planning permission and the roads are going in because of B&Q.”

B&Q bought the freehold for an undisclosed sum but, because the purchase does not complete until it takes possession, this transaction will not swell Swindon’s industrial take-up figures for last year.

Figures from Swindon agent Whitmarsh Lockhart, which acted for Gazeley, show that last year’s industrial take-up around Swindon was 1.04m sq ft, just exceeding the five-year average of 1m sq ft.

However, Woolworths’ 612,680 sq ft redundant distribution facility also on the A419 has not been leased. Last month, the owner, UBS Triton Property Fund, began demolition to create a 23.5 acre development site.

Triton, working with Graftongate, will seek planning consent for a 450,000 sq ft facility. As an alternative, Triton will ask Swindon Borough Council for permission for a solar-photovoltaic park.

Source : Propertyweek.com