Selfridges set to secure warehouse to implement net zero promises

By Liza Helps Property Editor Logistics Matters

WHILE NO ONE has officially commented on the deal, it is widely rumoured that Selfridges will secure the build-to-suit  facility subject to planning. SEGRO submitted detailed plans to Northampton Council  for a single  unit of 380,895 ft2 with 18m eaves which will comprise 350,000 ft2 of warehouse space as well as a 24,560 ft2  main office, a 6,000 ft2 transport office and a 350 ft2 gatehouse. It will have loading docks to two sides with 36 dock and 5 level access doors. There is parking for 77 HGVs and 332 cars.

Within the Plot 3A unit there will be two robotic platforms in the centre of the building which comprise automated racking, with access for maintenance purposes only. The layout and arrangement of each platform will be finalised as part of the internal fit out process by the occupier. 

The development on Plot 3A, which totals 19.83 acres, is expected to start in the last quarter of  this year with practical completion in Q4 2024. Winvic Construction will be acting as Principal Contractor for the project. 

Currently much of the retailer’s ecommerce and store supply chain function is carried out by DHL from two units at Hams Hall in the West Midlands. Unit 3c totals 177,800 ft2 and was built in 2001 while the other Alpha 1 totalling 219,112 ft2 was developed  in 20XX. There are no plans for these two warehouses to close currently as leases are set to run some time. It is thought DHL will continue to run the contract.

Selfridges announced its  ambitious net zero carbon programme in its Project Earth initiative in 2020 with a target to achieve net zero carbon emissions across the business by 2050. In 2021, Selfridges accelerated its net-zero carbon commitment by 10 years, to be achieved by 2040, as a signatory to the Climate Pledge.

At the launch of its first annual Project Earth Report in September last year Selfridges Managing Director Andrew Keith, said that to achieve this, Selfridges will move from a period of experimentation and exploration into a phase of embedding and accelerating change, through new commitments across Materials, Models and Mindsets.

“In creating our store of tomorrow we must commit to a fundamental shift in the way that we do business and use the Selfridges platform for change. We recognise that we need to challenge ourselves to accelerate change.”

SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton will comprise a Strategic Rail Freight Interchange capable of handling trains up to 775m in length supported by 5 million ft2 of industrial and logistics space built to achieve BREEAM Excellent.

SEGRO and primary contractor Winvic Construction are delivering the entire project, including all infrastructure, and enabling works, at net-zero carbon. 

Infrastructure commenced in 2021 with building plots for immediate development on a build-to-suit-basis.