DX Group takes Deeside depot

By Liza Helps, Property Editor, Logistics Matters

THE COMPANY has taken Unit 1-2 St Ives Way in Sandycroft, Deeside on a 10 year lease at a rent of £70,000 a year. The new site will serve DX Delivery’s parcels operation, which is part of the DX Express division and provides highly secure, tracked deliveries both to businesses and consumers.

The news follows an agreement to take on 15 sites that were previously operated by Tuffnells Parcels Express.

The new depot will be operated with a view to reducing carbon emissions, with energy efficient lighting and other measures, it will also facilitate a reduction in stem mileages resulting in lower fuel consumption.

Further investment in the depot network is planned for DX's new financial year ending 29 June 2024, the final year of the Group's current three-year, £20-£25m investment programme.

Alongside the investment in its delivery network, DX is investing in new fleet, including electric vehicles, parcel-handling mechanisation, and new technology.

DX Group chief executive Paul Ibbetson, said: "We have substantially expanded our depot network over the last two years and this latest addition further increases our capability in the North West and North Wales.”

HMG bought the property on a competitive best-bids scenario which was sold as an investment. Property agency Legat Owen and Gerald Eve advised HMG on pre-letting the unit to DX Delivery.

St Ives Way is situated off Factory Road in the well-established Sandycroft area, around six miles to the west of Chester.

Elsewhere in Deeside Columbia Threadneedle’s 103,000 ft2 industrial scheme at Deeside Industrial Park has reached practical completion. Built by McLaren Construction, the project comprises two warehouses of 63,000 ft2 and 40,000 ft2.

Both units have been built to BREEAM Very Good targets and have an EPC rating of A+. Electric vehicle charging points are provided on the site, which also has a solar panel array. This power source is one of the factors helping the warehouses achieve net zero carbon performance in operation.

Fletcher Rae Architects designed the buildings, while Workman was the project manager.

Legat Owen and B8 Real Estate are the joint agents for Deeside 63 and Deeside 40. The warehouses’ quoting rent is £7.95/ft2.