New spec warehouse for Suffolk

By Liza Helps Property Editor Logistics Matters

THE NEW property known as G165 totals 164,796 ft2 comprising a 159,995 ft2 warehouse and 4,801 ft2 of offices on an 8.9 acre self contained site. The property will target BREEAM Excellent and an EPC A rating. It will have 15m eaves as well as 16 dock and two level access doors with a 50kn/m2 floor loading and 50m yard. There will be parking for 38 HGVs and 137 cars.

Only this week Gateway 14 Ltd - a wholly owned subsidiary of Mid Suffolk District Council - with development partner Jaynic, handed over The Range a 1.17 million ft 2 distribution centre on the park.

Gateway 14 Chair, Sir Christopher Haworth, said: “This development brings 1,600 jobs to the town, more than originally envisioned for the whole scheme.

“Already we have further strong interest in the park and expect to be able to identify new occupiers in the near future.” 

The Range CEO Alex Simpkin said: “This site will support us in our goal of delivering an ever-expanding range of high quality, value for money products for the public through our growing store portfolio and multichannel offerings.”

The Range paid £5 million for  the Wilko brand and its online platform in September this year after the long standing homewares company fell into administration.

The agreement means it will own Wilko's website and could choose to stock and sell some of its products. The Range, which has 210 UK stores, also plans to sell click-and-collect products from the Wilko.com website.

Gateway 14 benefits from being part of Freeport East, one of only eight Freeports in the UK. The Freeport status provides businesses on Gateway 14 with a range of benefits including a suite of tax reliefs and simplified customs arrangements, together with partnering to deliver innovation and skills support for the wider community.

Steve Beel, Chief Executive of Freeport East said: “This a landmark first development for Freeport East but the first of many.  Bringing a diverse range of new business operations into the Freeport East area will strengthen and diversify our local economy and provide a range of opportunities for local people.  With 100% of all the business rates collected at Gateway 14 being recycled into local growth priorities, it means that this major development will also drive benefit across local communities, such as supporting our new Innovation & Skills Fund and supporting local businesses to innovate and grow.”

Biodiversity on the site is also a priority, with high-quality landscaping, green corridors and nesting boxes all being introduced across the site to support not only the wildlife and ecology but also to create a vibrant, attractive, and healthy working environment for employees.

Joint letting agents are Avison Young and Savills.