EXCLUSIVE: Bleckmann snaps up Boohoo shed
Fashion and lifestyle brands 3PL Bleckmann, has snapped up the 403,990 ft2 former Boohoo warehouse at Prologis RFI DIRFT III following the fast fashion company vacating the building last year.
By Liza Helps, Property Editor, Logistics Matters
ANNOUNCING THE opening of its new DC today Bleckmann said that the deal boosted it’s operational footprint in the UK by more than 1 million ft2 to 3.2 million ft2 – the new DC has a footprint of 403,990 ft2 plus a further four levels of mezzanine space totalling some 703,225 ft2.
Logistics Matters reported on the closure of the facility by Boohoo last year. Boohoo acquired the property in 2021 in a complicated deal which saw investor developer Prologis snap up the former Arcadia warehouse in Daventry from the administrators Deloitte for more than £60 million in a ‘best bid’ battle.
Prologis then let the property immediately to Boohoo on a 15 year lease at a rent thought to be around £7 per ft2.
The state of the art warehouse had originally been built by Arcadia Group at a cost of £29.4 million in 2019, after it had acquired the plot freehold from Prologis for £40 million in 2016.
The property was being marketed by DTRE and Axis Property Company by way of an assignment or sub-lease.
The cross docked property boasts 21m clear internal height, 68 dock and eight level access doors and a 55 m yard depths to each side.
It has 40,294 sq ft of grade A office space, a transport office hub, 444 car parking and 88 HGV spaces. It comes with an LED lighting, sprinkler system, and racking in part.
Bleckmann started as a local Dutch and Belgian logistics provider for companies in the fashion industry. Now, its serves brands such as Cloudnine, Superdry and Gymshark.
This strategic investment underscores Bleckmann’s ongoing commitment to scaling its logistics capabilities, improving operational efficiencies and delivering greater value to its fashion clients.
The new facility is equipped with cutting-edge automation technology, including an Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) shuttle system, which significantly boosts efficiency and optimises storage.
As the Crick site ramps up, it will not only contribute to Bleckmann’s operational growth but also play a vital role in creating local employment opportunities, with up to 1,500 new jobs expected to be generated once the facility reaches full capacity.
Chief Operations Officer for Belgium and the UK Reinardt van Oel, said: “The UK is a critical growth market for Bleckmann. Over the last few years, we have expanded significantly, growing from serving 5 clients in a single warehouse to managing operations for over 60 brands across 8 logistics centres.
“This new facility is an essential part of our growth strategy, enabling us to meet the rising demands of both existing and new customers. With our state-of-the-art automated environment, we ensure efficiency, scalability, and seamless service, reaffirming our dedication to innovation and customer satisfaction.”
Giles Weir, UK Head of Tenant Representation at JLL, added: “Bleckmann’s rapid growth as one of the most active third-party logistics providers in the UK highlights its confidence in the market. This new operational space will be pivotal in enabling them to achieve their ambitious growth targets, and we’re proud to have played a part in this exciting development.”
