News: JELD-WEN announce plans to relocate UK facility

JELD-WEN, a major UK door manufacturer with a facility in Rotherham, has announced plans to move to a new state-of-the-art facility to support its continued growth.

JELD-WEN is one of the world's leading manufacturers and distributors of quality timber windows, external and internal doors, patio doors and stairs. It employs hundreds at the JELD- WEN UK production facilities at Woodhouse Mill, just inside the Rotherham border.

Having invested millions of pounds in production equipment over the last decade, the firm appears to have outgrown the Retford Road site and has signed a lease for Unit 3A, a new 294,000 sq ft state-of-the-art industrial and logistics facility at PLP Bessemer Park in Sheffield.

The company said that the new facility will allow it to obtain operational efficiencies in a modern, sustainable base, supporting its continued growth in the UK.

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Dom Gaffey, Vice President and General Manager, JELD-WEN UK, said “Securing this facility at PLP Bessemer Park is an important milestone for JELD-WEN UK. While the timeline for the relocation is still being finalised, this investment demonstrates a clear commitment to investing in the UK market, how we serve our customers, and how we continue to operate responsibly as an employer and community partner. The focus remains on sustaining the strong relationships JELD-WEN UK has with its customers and partners throughout this process.”

Bringing the development to 100% occupancy, this lease marks the final chapter in a series of successful lettings at Bessemer Park in Tinsley, all secured with blue-chip occupiers and with a strong emphasis on the manufacturing and advanced engineering sectors.

Hugh Chesterton, Development Director at PLP, commented: “PLP has taken a former steelworks brownfield and created a commercial park fit for ‘next generation’ manufacturing and logistics occupiers. We’re proud to welcome JELD-WEN to PLP Bessemer Park and to have completed this flagship regeneration project at full occupancy. The calibre of tenants we’ve attracted—each a blue-chip business with a strong manufacturing footprint—underscores the enduring appeal of Sheffield as a location for forward-looking industrial operations.”

Knight Frank, CBRE and CPP represented PLP. JELD-WEN UK were represented by JLL.

Founded in 1960, JELD-WEN has its global headquarters in Oregan, USA. It employs approximately 16,000 people across North America and Europe.

JELD-WEN UK website

Images: PLP

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News: Gym fit for retail use

A weight has been lifted for the landlords of a Rotherham building who will now be able to fit out a former gym in Rotherham for retail use.

i-Motion Gym in Parkgate closed in 2023 when management said that a combination of factors, including the COVID pandemic and the energy crisis, "had made the business books difficult to navigate."

Rothbiz reported in 2018 that a deal for the operating company was secured after administrators were called in after the firm struggled in the challenging environment for low cost gym operators.

Since closing, the 12,266 sq ft Unit 10 at Stoddart Way, Foundry Retail Park, has been advertised to let with the agents, Knight Frank, explaining: "The unit has most recently been used as a gym but can be stripped out / refurbished to suit the requirements of an incoming occupier."

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Rotherham Foundry RP Limited has recently asked Rotherham Council to confirm the potential usage of the site given changes to planning legislation.

Changes in 2020 grouped Commercial, Business and Service in Use Class E and includes both the retail sale of goods, other than hot food, and indoor sport, recreation or fitness uses including gyms.

A report from the planning officer at Rotherham Council, said: "In this case, the key issue is whether or not the existing use falls within use class E and therefore doesn’t require a change of use application.

"It is considered that the proposed use of the unit for retail can be carried out without the submission of a full planning application, as the previous and proposed uses fall within the same wider use class and as such there is no material change in the use of the building."

Documents from the administration of i-Motion (Rotherham) Ltd has the landlords, Rotherham Foundry RP Limited, listed as an unsecured creditor, owed over £565,000.

The rest of the adjoining retail park, which was built as part of the enterprise zone and known as Great Eastern Retail Park, is now fully let after the 2024 openings of B&Q and Rotherham Hospice.

Images: Knight Frank

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News: Rotherham retail development reaches practical completion with Tesco first to open

Olive Lane, Harworth’s brand new retail development at its flagship site at Waverley in Rotherham has reached practical completion with just over 80% of units under offer or let.

The urban shopping and leisure development on Highfield Spring, part of Harworth’s complete redevelopment of the former mining site, totals 11 retail units and a medical centre and will serve the current community of more than 2,500 residents and around 1,700 homes, expected to rise to 8,000 people and more than 3,000 homes by 2029.

Rothbiz reported last month on the current Olive Lane occupier line up that includes a Medical Centre, the recently opened Tesco, Waverley Community Centre, Specsavers, Little Olives Nursery, Karobar Indian restaurant and Hall Court Vets.

Three units of 1,420 sq ft remain to let, with advanced interest in one.

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Kitty Hendrick, from the Sheffield office of Knight Frank, which is marketing the site, said: “Olive Lane is a really positive story, not only for the Waverley community but for the region.

“We are now just over 80% under offer / let and the units have only just reached Practical Completion, which proves that there is strong demand for retail units in the region, and limited availability.

“We have secured a mix of national and local independent retail and F&B occupiers, including Tesco, and look forward to seeing the scheme up and running once tenants have fitted out.

“There will be something for everyone at Olive Lane and we envisage the scheme to be very popular with high footfall once open.”

Michael Jameson, Senior Asset Manager at Harworth said: “Harworth is delighted to bring Olive Lane to life, a development which will become the new mixed use heart of the Waverley Community. Creating places where people want to live and work is at the heart of what Harworth do and we’re confident that Waverley and Olive Lane delivers on that aim. We hope local residents and workers will enjoy all the amenities the high street has to offer, and are sure the scheme will be a huge success and really bring the community together.”

Plans were approved for the scheme in 2023. It is a scaled back development, much reduced compared to previous iterations.

Waverley website
Harworth website

Images: Knight Frank / Harworth

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News: Rotherham expansion moves for industrial specialists

Two growing businesses have expanded into a popular Rotherham industrial estate.

Specialist hire company RVT Group, which offers tailored solutions for dust control, fume extraction, ventilation, noise barriers, water treatment, environmental monitoring and climate control, has enlarged its depot facilities after taking 35,000 sq ft of industrial space at Vector 31 in Waleswood.

The company, started in 1993, had outgrown its existing unit in Chesterfield, while existing tenant Preformed Windings, which manufacture coils for high-voltage motors and generators, has expanded at the popular industrial scheme.

Preformed Windings' current unit, Unit C, spans 19,000 sq ft, and the new unit, Unit J, adds an additional 11,000 sq ft. The 60% increase in manufacturing capacity is to meet the growing demand for high-voltage diamond coils.

Officially opening the new unit, Rother Valley MP, Jake Richards said that the new unit comes as part of a £3m capital investment programme.

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Agents Knight Frank secured the unit for RVT, which has sites across the UK including two offices in Dartford plus branches in Northampton, Chester and Scotland, and also negotiated the move for Preformed Windings, which has more than 50 years of experience of partnering major OEMs and rewind shops worldwide.

Harry Orwin-Allen, surveyor in the Knight Frank Sheffield office, said: “Vector 31 is a prime South Yorkshire location and offers occupiers high grade industrial and warehouse units built to modern specification. Both companies needed extra capacity in high quality accommodation, and Vector 31 fitted the bill.”

RVT Group has grown from a small family-run organisation to a medium-size enterprise, with a long-standing team of experts meaning it has become one of the industry leaders in health hazard control.

It supplies products to contractors all around the UK and supports major contractors including Skanska, Balfour Beatty, Morgan Sindall, Kier, Willmott Dixon, Network Rail.

Preformed Windings employs a team of 80 highly skilled experienced staff to support customers in designing, manufacturing, and shipping high-quality coils. Its expertise includes spanning winding, insulation, coil design, and manufacturing precision and excellence, and is renowned for being the fastest coil manufacturers globally, excelling in short lead times for critical repairs.

RVT website
Preformed Windings website

Images: Jake Richards / Facebook

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News: Medical equipment manufacturer moves back to Rotherham

Wassenburg Ltd, which is a world leader in manufacturing endoscope reprocessing products and solutions, has taken a 10,900 sq ft modern warehouse and office unit at Ignite @ Magna Business Park in Rotherham.

The Dutch-owned company is taking a five-year lease, at a headline rent of £8.95 per sq ft at Templeborough.

The move is made possible by global steel business Danieli moving from Templeborough to a new purpose built headquarters in a prime plot on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham.

Andrew Betts, Managing Director of Danieli, said: "As part of Danieli’s relocation to the Advanced Manufacturing Park following significant expansion, Knight Frank was appointed to market our former premises which offered a high quality, industrial/business unit, with above average office content. Following strong interest, a letting to Wassenburg was agreed and Nick Wales of Knight Frank Sheffield has been retained to sell the investment."

Rebecca Schofield of Knight Frank, who dealt with the letting, added: “The Ignite at Magna Development continues to prove popular; the premises are of high quality and are well located with easy access to J33 and 34 M1. Unit 4 Ignite was well received to the market and the layout and fit out proved attractive to occupiers. Wassenburg was attracted to the quality of the unit and the split between office and warehouse space, and it is great to see them relocate and expand in the area.”

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In 2011 Wassenburg transferred its UK operation from Hellaby to Smithy Wood in Sheffield.

Rakesh Javer, Managing Director at Wassenburg, said: “We are delighted to relocate to Unit 4 Ignite. The high-quality facilities and strategic location provide the perfect base for our operations as we continue to expand and serve our customers more effectively.”

Ignite @ Magna offers easy access into Rotherham and Sheffield. It is also around one mile from Junction 34 of the M1, and also close to Junction 33 of the M1 allowing distribution networks across the entire country. Well known occupiers nearby include ETA, Yorkshire Ambulance Service, Parcel Force and AESSEAL.

Wassenburg was established in 1984 by Gerrit Wassenburg, and has developed from a family company into a global player as an expert in all aspects related to automated endoscope reprocessing.

Since its establishment, Wassenburg, with headquarters in The Netherlands, has grown exponentially and has sales offices in The UK, Ireland, France, Germany, the US and an exclusive distributors network in Europe, Middle East, Australia and New Zealand.

Wassenburg website
Danieli website

Images: Knight Frank

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News: Rotherham development fits the bill for national energy firm

British renewable energy group Octopus Energy has taken the largest unit at Mirastar’s flagship development, Sheffield Catalyst.

The Catalyst development is on the part of Sheffield Business Park which is within the Rotherham borough boundary, close to the Parkway. It has been built on a 17.9-acre site that was previously kept in the green belt when Sheffield City Airport was in operation. Developer Premcor Estates, together with joint venture partner, Peveril Securities sold the development for an undisclosed sum last year.

A relative newcomer, Octopus only started out in 2016 and now supplies over six million homes in Britain with a focus on customer service and green technology. Last year it was announced that existing investors would deploy $800m in a funding round, valuing the company at almost $8 billion. Octopus said that the investment was expected to create 3,000 green jobs in UK alone in 2024.

Octopus has taken 91,923 sq ft in Rotherham and is expected to use the warehouse for its Octopus Energy Services part of the business which is spearheading the transition to greener, cheaper energy through the installation of in-home technologies; from smart meters and electric car chargers; to low carbon heating, home batteries, affordable heat pumps and solar panels.

Rothbiz reported in April on a new Solus Vehicle Accident Repair Centre opening at the Catalyst development. Solus is wholly owned by Aviva and operates a nationwide network of vehicle damage repair centres.

Both companies join surfaces specialist Cosentino and UK award-winning commercial supplier JLA Group. Cosentino relocated into a 33,608 sq ft unit while JLA Group expanded into 109,166 sq ft on site.

Just one unit of 28,309 sq ft remains available through agents Knight Frank, GV & Co and M1.

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Henry Watson, partner at M1 Agency, said: “These lettings demonstrate where Catalyst sits within the market of Sheffield. From inception we set out to provide a best in class product which suited the needs of occupiers and we have been rewarded for our confidence in the product with market leading transactions across the development.

“The unprecedented growth in demand for last mile solutions shown in the wider South Yorkshire conurbations has been triggered by the rise of the convenience economy driven by mobile technology. Proximity to customers is becoming ever important as goods need to be moved quicker and more often, intensifying the demand for space in last-mile locations such as Catalyst Sheffield.”

The remaining unit is finished to a high specification with high quality office space suitable for head offices and benefit from excellent ESG credentials including EPC rating ‘A’, minimum BREEAM rating of ‘Very Good’, PIR controlled LED lighting to the offices, a rooftop solar PV system, and extra natural light through translucent wall panels and roof lights.

Rebecca Schofield, partner and head of the Yorkshire industrial team at Knight Frank, said: "Catalyst is ideally located fronting Sheffield Parkway, its high-quality specification and ideal location has resulted in the success of the scheme with all the occupiers new inward investors which is a great result for the scheme and region."

Rob Brophy of Mirastar, added: “Sheffield Catalyst is an important scheme to deliver much needed new industrial warehouse facilities benefiting from excellent ESG credentials and unrivalled prominence and access via the Sheffield Parkway and the M1 Motorway.

“Catalyst represents a continuation of our clear strategy and vision across our portfolio by developing best in class facilities with market leading ESG credentials.”

Daniel Walker at GV&Co, added: “Catalyst, Sheffield Business Park continues to go from strength to strength. This recent letting continues the success on the scheme with another household name and highlights the benefits the development offers to occupiers from both a location perspective and specification of the units. We have good interest on the final units but are happy to discuss any live requirements if occupiers need more information.”

Images: M1 Agency

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News: Rotherham business park becomes fully let

MAGNA 34 Business Park in Rotherham is fully let, with the last of the units having successfully agreed on new 3-year and 5-year leases.

Mileway's 40,200 sq. ft. business park, located on the site of the former steelworks at Templeborough, now has occupiers for the thirteen modern warehouses including DB Automotive, WashCo Ltd, Tyrolit Limited, Check Fire and Keyhole TIG (UK) Pty Ltd.

The development was completed in 2022 having been approved in 2018. Commercial Property Partners (CPP) and Knight Frank (KF) are joint letting agents.

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Chloé Bennett, for CPP, said: “Magna 34 has come to market at the height of demand for warehousing, and its location between Sheffield and Rotherham ensures access to a highly skilled and motivated work force within easy commuting distance.

“We are obviously delighted that Magna 34 is now fully let, testament to the quality of the units of offer and the very favourable location of the scheme - but there is still need for additional stock to satisfy the confirmed demand for space from occupiers.”

Harry Orwin-Allen, for letting agents Knight Frank, added: “Magna 34 is an established business park in a very sought-after location with great access to the M1. We are delighted to have concluded lettings on this scheme and have secured a mix of well-established national and local occupiers.

“Demand remains high across South Yorkshire for new, purpose-built commercial space, particularly for sub-5,000 sq ft units such as the units offered at Magna 34. The Magna 34 scheme has provided much-needed high quality industrial accommodation for the South Yorkshire region, with lettings swiftly achieved to a variety of well-established occupiers, which demonstrates the huge success of the development.”

Mileway website CPP website Knight Frank website

Images: CPP

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News: £60m Rotherham industrial development complete

Mirastar’s £60m industrial development called Sheffield Catalyst, which is could bring around 500 jobs to the area, is now complete.

As Rothbiz explained, outline plans were approved in 2019 to enable the successful Sheffield Business Park to expand into Rotherham.

Investor, developer and asset manager Mirastar has brought forward the Catalyst development on a 17.9-acre site that was previously kept in the green belt when Sheffield City Airport was in operation.

Comprising five units totalling 285,000 sq ft along the Parkway, 50% of the scheme was pre-let.

Agents Knight Frank, GV & Co and M1 are marketing the remaining three units of 22,448 sq ft, 28,309 sq ft and 91,923 sq ft which are immediately available and suitable for warehouse and distribution, general industrial and manufacturing.

Rebecca Schofield, partner and head of the Yorkshire industrial team at Knight Frank, said: “This scheme is at the heart of the region’s distribution and manufacturing location and sits in a prime central UK position allowing potential occupiers access nationwide.

“Potential occupiers should be attracted by the nearby demographics for employees and potential customers. More than 477,000 people are within five mile radius of site and 65 per cent of the UK population can be reached within 4.5 hours.”

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Henry Watson, associate at M1 Agency, said: “We are seeing specification and location be paramount to occupier requirements in the current market and Catalyst benefits from best in class building specification and unrivalled location, just off J33.”

Earlier this year Rothbiz reported that surfaces specialist Cosentino was the first tenant to sign up, taking a 33,608 sq ft, with JLA Group, a market leader in the supply and maintenance of commercial equipment, taking 109,166 sq ft.

Daniel Walker, from GV & Co, said: "The units at Catalyst, Sheffield Business Park have been constructed to a high specification and the quality of the interest we have received to date is testament to that. Only three units now remain and we are keen to speak to those companies who have active requirements in the area and are interested in being based on the park."

Earlier this year, property development company, Premcor Estates, together with joint venture partner Peveril Securities sold the development to Mirastar, KKR Real Estate's industrial and logistics platform in Europe, for an undisclosed sum.

Premcor director, Simon Hawkins, said: “Premcor has an entrepreneurial approach to property development and a track record of successfully matching market demand with investor requirements and this deal was no different.

“The site was part of the former Sheffield Airport land so we were delighted to be able to buy it off market. It’s in a highly sought after location, just off the M1 and close to the M18 where there has been a lack of new development stock coming forward recently, which means the area benefits from a strong occupier demand with rents moving on towards and beyond £8/sqft."

Sheffield Business Park website

Images: Knight Frank

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News: Medical company expands into new Rotherham HQ

A global manufacturer and distributor of healthcare equipment is expanding into bigger premises with the £850,000 purchase of a new Rotherham HQ.

ISO-registered Sheffmed manufactures and distributes ENT suctions and instruments across the world and is relocating after 20 years into 8,395 sq ft at Salisbury House on Centurion Business Park at Templeborough.

Wake Smith advised Sheffmed, which employs 15 people, on the commercial property work while the Sheffield office of Knight Frank acted for owners toolmakers Troy (UK) Ltd on the sale.

Sonia Hobson, managing director at Sheffmed, which started out in an office at Aizlewood’s Mill in Sheffield, said: “We have grown out of the old place on Clifton Street and were looking for something with more space for our existing team and our resources. It will be a new experience for us being on an established business park but we are really looking forward to the move and being amongst like minded business people.

“We are currently undergoing some work in the warehouse to give us a mezzanine floor and a clean room which is essential for our work with medical instruments and are hoping to be in before November.

“This is the right decision for our business and we even have a nature reserve nearby which is ideal for walking our dogs at lunchtime.”

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Ben Spencer, director in Wake Smith's commercial property team who acted on the purchase of Sheffmed’s former base at Clifton House in Sheffield 10 years ago, advised on the new purchase and business estate requirements.

He said: “We’re pleased to have worked again with Sonia to bring the purchase to fruition. This is a growing firm and we wish Sonia and her team the best of luck in their new base.”

Harry Orwin-Allen, senior surveyor at Knight Frank in Sheffield, said: “Centurion Business Park is an established commercial location with fantastic links to the national motorway network.

“Salisbury House, which forms part of the wider estate, is a modern hybrid business unit which offers a range of good quality office space and full height industrial warehouse accommodation with yard and loading, which offered Sheffmed opportunity to expand their operations further within the region.

“The market for similar property to purchase remains robust in the Yorkshire area and, on behalf of our retained client, it was great to secure a committed purchaser in Sheffmed. It was a pleasure dealing with Sonia and her team, who acted swiftly throughout the process.”

Sonia added: “Ben Spencer at Wake Smith really looks after us and that is why we go back for our commercial property work. He provides information quickly and is always friendly and helpful when we need any advice.”

Sheffmed website

Images: Wake Smith

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News: First occupiers for new £60m Rotherham development

The new Catalyst development in Rotherham is 50% pre let having secured its first two occupiers prior to completion.

Outline plans were approved in 2019 to enable the successful Sheffield Business Park to expand into Rotherham. Investor, developer and asset manager Mirastar has brought forward the Catalyst development on a 17.9-acre site that was previously kept in the green belt when Sheffield City Airport was in operation.

Surfaces specialist Cosentino has become the first tenant to sign up to £60m industrial scheme fronting Sheffield Parkway.

The scheme comprises of five units totalling 285,000 sq ft and Cosentino, whose Silestone, Dekton and Sensa worktop brands are known worldwide, has taken a 33,608 sq ft unit on the prime 18-acre site.

JLA Group, a market leader in the supply and maintenance of commercial equipment, including laundry, catering, heating and fire safety equipment, has also secured 109,166 sq ft ahead of PC. This marks a significant investment for the Group who are expanding into their own facility to accommodate substantial business growth.

The development as a whole is expected to create around 500 jobs for the region.

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Henry Watson, associate at M1 Agency, said: “We are delighted to have exchanged contracts with Cosentino on Unit 3 and JLA Ltd at Unit 1 prior to practical completion. Cosentino is a world leader in the production and distribution of engineered and other natural stone surfaces. JLA is a UK market leader in their field. Both are excellent occupiers for this prestigious new prime development.”

Rebecca Schofield, partner and head of the Yorkshire industrial team at Knight Frank, said: “Catalyst offers quality of space, but also the presence and access onto The Parkway, one of Sheffield’s main arterial routes.

“The market continues to show good demand for modern, highly specified and sustainable space for occupiers wanting growth or relocation opportunities, plus the opportunity to tap into excellent labour resources in the region.”

Rob Brophy of Mirastar added: “Sheffield Catalyst is an important scheme to deliver much needed new industrial warehouse facilities benefiting from excellent ESG credentials and unrivalled prominence and access to the Sheffield Parkway and the M1 Motorway. We’ve received strong occupier demand since commencing on site and it’s great to see the scheme come together as we near completion having successfully pre-let 50% of the scheme.”

Agents Knight Frank, Gent Visick and M1 are marketing the remaining three units of 22,448 sq ft, 28,309 sq ft and 91,923 sq ft which are suitable for warehouse and distribution, general industrial and manufacturing.

The KKR-backed specialist asset manager, Mirastar, committed to a multimillion-pound funding agreement last year to help deliver Catalyst, alongside developers Premcor and Peveril Securities.

Cosentino website
JLA Group website

Images: Peveril / C4

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News: Speculative Rotherham industrial units proving popular addressing the lack of supply

Rotherham’s latest 40,000 sq ft business park is already attracting occupiers looking for modern warehouse units.

Magna 34 Business Park, which was recently completed having been approved in 2018, offers 13 units ranging from 2,538 to 4,758 sq ft and is proving popular, responding to the continued demand across the region for small industrial and warehouse units.

Grinding and dressing tools manufacturer Tyrolit, welding technology firm K-Tig and Mercedes Benz experts DB Automotive, tool manufacturers Tyrolit and car dealership Trade Centre Yorkshire have already each taken units, with three further units currently under offer, leaving just five units available.

Kitty Hendrick from Knight Frank in Sheffield, which is marketing the development alongside CPP for owners Mileway, said: "Magna 34 Business Park is a brand new industrial development, located off Sheffield Road and Temple Road in Rotherham. The high specification accommodation is in an excellent position, close to Junction 34 M1.

“The speculative units provide modern, industrial space suitable for B8 and B2 use built to a high specification, and we have already had an excellent response in terms of interest with the space suitable for a variety of occupiers addressing the lack of small industrial units available in Sheffield and Rotherham.”

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Features on site include 6m eaves height, fitted office accommodation, three phase electricity, kitchenette and WC facilities and full height, roller shutter loading door access.

Max Pickering from CPP added: “There remains a significant lack of good quality industrial units available which has meant demand for these units has been very high. Occupiers are keen to take space that is modern and suits their needs for the upcoming years. We only have a few units left on the estate showing the success of the development.”

The first phase of works at the £31m Business Park were completed in 2008. Located off Junction 34 of the M1, it was built on the historic site of the former steelworks, and before that, a Roman fort.

Richard Armitage, senior asset manager at Mileway, added: "We've been delighted with the progress we've seen on site at Magna 34 since the scheme practically completed. It really demonstrates the strength of occupier demand for this type of product in the South Yorkshire sub-market and we look forward to completing the final few lettings on site in the coming months."

Mileway website

Images: Knight Frank

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News: Plans approved to demolish and replace Rotherham call centre

Plans have been approved to demolish a call centre building in Rotherham that has been vacant for a number of years.

Unit 1 of the Callflex Business Park in Manvers was one of a number of commercial properties built on the former Manvers Main Colliery Site specifically for call centre use, but it now looks set to be knocked down.

Plans from owners, CEG, are to replace the 3-storey L-shaped offices with a general industrial building of some 37,000 sq ft.

The colliery site was reclaimed in the 1990s. Formerly occupied by Portal as managed call centre space, the unit was previously home to companies such as E-On and other call centre operators. The space has been marketed since 2018 without success.

The plans, drawn up by Pegasus, stated: "Given this lack of occupation or interest, the applicant wishes to bring about a more viable, employment generating use upon the site.

"CEG Ltd as owners of the Callflex Business Park now want to make this full planning application to secure a new user for the site, who could occupy the proposed building for the long-term future, given the outcomes of shifts in commercial requirements."

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The plans for a large single ground floor area with ancillary office mezzanine were recently approved without going to the planning board at Rotherham Council.

The new building, which has a footprint larger than the one currently in situ, can be used for General Industrial or Storage and Distribution purposes and also includes HGV bays and landscaping work at the site.

A neighbouring occupier has objected on highway grounds regarding the access for HGVs but the council's Transportation Unit have assessed the application and raised no objections.

Agents at Knight Frank explain the reason for the circumstances: "Historically these larger scale call centre buildings had been built during a period of the historic enterprise zone status and where there had been good demand from back office/call centre operations and substantial offers available – rates free periods and large incentive packages. A lot of the traditional call centre market moved off shore, and in more recent times due to the pandemic a lot of businesses have now adopted home working policies in the UK.

"Looking at the performance of the property asset, this is under delivering and also is not currently stimulating any employment or economic growth in the region. Therefore we could consider alternative options for the asset. One sector that is showing substantial growth demand and potential job creation is the delivery of new industrial and warehouse accommodation within the South Yorkshire region."

CEG website

Images: Knight Frank

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News: Automotive group to take massive new Rotherham warehouse

Work has only just begun on a massive new warehouse in Rotherham but the speculative development already has a tenant.

Alliance Automotive Group UK (AAG UK) has partnered with Europa Capital and Panattoni, Europe’s leading logistics developer, to build their new distribution centre.

Panattoni secured planning permission for two facilities adjacent to junction 1 of the M18 at Hellaby, one of 630,000 sq ft, which will be one of the largest-ever speculative logistics buildings in the north of England, and a smaller 80,000 sq ft facility.

AAG has signed a 25-year lease for the facility.

AAG UK, acquired by the American Genuine Parts Company in 2017, supply light and commercial vehicle parts to over 36,000 independent garages, franchise networks and public services throughout the UK.

Steve Richardson, AAG’s Managing Director said: “We’re delighted to partner with Europa Capital and Panattoni to secure this new facility for our FPS business. We’ve experienced significant growth since acquiring FPS in 2016 and this investment not only allows us to consolidate our 3 existing facilities in Sheffield, but also forms part of our wider programme to strengthen our distribution infrastructure to ensure we are prepared for future growth.

"This will be a purpose built, state of the art facility, integrating best in class logistics operations with advanced technologies to put us at the forefront of aftermarket distribution. As we move forward customers can expect an even wider product offering alongside market leading service and support. It’s an exciting next step in our journey and we expect the new facility to be operational in the first quarter of 2025”.

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Dan Burn, Head of Development for the North West and Yorkshire at Panattoni, said: “This major pre-let to AAG endorses our continuing commitment to a significant speculative development programme across the UK and our continued confidence in the logistics sector. We look forward to working with AAG over the coming months as we bring significant investment and employment opportunities to Rotherham”.

Rachel Hanke, Managing Director and Value Add Fund Manager at Europa Capital, commented: “Despite current headwinds, securing a pre-let with a tenant such as AAG at an early stage of construction is a testament to the resolve of the asset management team and strength of the fundamentals in the sector, especially for high-quality assets such as the Rotherham logistics park. We continue to experience a good level of occupier interest in the remaining unit and are focused on letting up this space.”

Letting agents are M1 Agency, Legat Owen and Knight Frank.
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Matt Pochin, Director at Legal Owen, said: "We were always extremely confident in the sites’ location during the acquisition process, so to have secured an effective pre-let of this scale underpins our advice and Panattoni’s commitments to Rotherham and Junction 1 M18."
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AAG UK website Panattoni website

Images: Cow & Cream / Facebook

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News: Why are big warehouses being built in Rotherham?

Developers are answering the call for more much needed warehouse space in the Sheffield region as evidenced by large scale new developments in Rotherham.

The KKR-backed specialist asset manager, Mirastar, recently agreed to finance the development of Catalyst, through M1 Agency. The 18-acre site sits on Sheffield Business Park, incorporating 285,000 sq ft across five units with a value of £60m.

Outline plans were approved in 2019 to enable the successful Sheffield Business Park to expand into Rotherham. The fourth phase is being built on a 17.9-acre site that was previously kept in the greenbelt when Sheffield City Airport was in operation.

Premcor, a private UK based property development company, joined with Peveril Securities, a wholly owned investment and development division of Bowmer and Kirkland, to work together on their first ever South Yorkshire site.

Barnfield Construction is making swift progress alongside the Parkway.

At Hellaby, work is underway on a huge distribution centre development alongside the M18 motorway.

Panattoni, the largest industrial real estate developer in Europe, bought the site and is bringing forward a unit of 630,000 sq ft, which will be one of the largest-ever speculative logistics buildings in the north of England, and a smaller 80,000 sq ft facility. Completion is expected in July 2023.

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Henry Watson, lead agent at M1 Agency in the Yorkshire and The North East said: “The market dynamic in Sheffield and surrounding area demonstrates a chronic imbalance between an extreme amount of demand and a huge lack of supply.

“The unprecedented growth demand for last mile solutions shown in Sheffield and the wider South Yorkshire conurbations has been triggered by the rise of the convenience economy driven by mobile technology.

“Proximity to customers is becoming ever important as goods need to be moved quicker and more often, intensifying the demand for space in last-mile locations.”

But it is not just last mile warehousing required in the region. Watson said: “Demand has continued to outweigh supply within the big box market too. The dynamic shift in consumer habits with increased multi-channel retail has created further extra-large scale requirements because of the nature of e-fulfilment.

“While e-commerce is one of the primary drivers of the ongoing large-scale warehousing demand, we are also seeing third-party logistics providers transitioning to larger multi-user facilities and consolidating their estates.

“With slimming margins on retail sales, occupiers have been looking at their logistics and supply chain management to reduce costs and increase profitability."

A latest study by agents, Knight Frank for the region confirms that it is a lack of supply and continued occupier demand that has driven the appetite for speculative development.

At the end of Q2 2022, there was 1.83 million sq ft of space immediately available. However, 73% was under offer with further availbale space in advance discussions.

Rebecca Schofield, partner and head of the Yorkshire Industrial team at Knight Frank in Sheffield, said: "Despite the caution that has entered the investment market, occupier demand and enquiries remain robust and we expect levels of interest to continue in respect of the further speculative development planned, including Panattoni Park in Rotherham, Barnsley 340, Bessemer Park Sheffield, Horizon 29 at Chesterfield and Unity Doncaster.”

M1 Agency website
Knight Frank website

Images: M1 Agency

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News: Victorian mill in Rotherham up for sale

A Victorian mill building in Rotherham has gone up for sale to anyone who can use their loaf with a seed of an idea and the right ingredients to help it to rise again.

The interesting property on Greasbrough Road is called Bridge Mill. It is situated close to Rotherham Central Station, opposite the Bridge Inn pub.

Listed with leading property agents, Knight Frank, the plot includes "a range of interconnected single storey industrial / warehouse accommodation constructed piecemeal over a number of years, which have been fully integrated at ground floor."

The original building dates from early 1900's and is of traditional masonry construction beneath a pitched slate covered roof and being set over three storeys plus basement.

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On the frontage you can still see remnants of the signage from when it was used by The Home Baking Co. Ltd. The company was sold to the producers of Mother's Pride in the 1940's.

In more recent years, the site was used by Donald Cooke Ltd, the pet food company that still operates the retail unit nearby.

The now vacant property, which is available with vacant posession, is described as having buildings of varying condition with some requiring refurbishment.

Listed has being an opportunity for substantial refurbishment / redevelopment (subject to planning), interested parties are told to get in touch for a price for the freehold.

Knight Frank website

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News: Further details of massive Rotherham warehouse development

Further fine details for a huge distribution centre development alongside the M18 motorway in Rotherham have been submitted.

Outline plans were approved for "Interchange Park" on former greenbelt land at Hellaby in 2020 and applicants said that it could be home to over 1,000 jobs. Since then, Panattoni, the largest industrial real estate developer in Europe, has bought the Cumwell Lane site and gained approval for changes to the plans.

A reserved matters planning application was approved last year for a 715,000 sq ft speculative development, now-called Panattoni Park Rotherham, consisting of the 630,000 sq ft facility (a maximum of 21 metres high) and a smaller 85,000 sq ft facility (15 metres).

Following continued dialogue with planners at Rotherham Council, the latest application focuses on appearance and landscaping.

A new Noise Assessment and Visual Impact Assessment have been submitted.

To improve screening, the developers have reviewed levels across the site and are proposing to reduce overall site levels by 0.74 metres in the vicinity of the largest unit. The layout of the smaller unit has been revised to "facilitate a deeper landscaping belt" and higher bunds of 2 - 3 metres are designed to improve the level of screening from Bateman Road and Cumwell Lane.

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An extended acoustic fence is not deemed neccessary in planning terms but developers have offered to extend the fence to offer additional mitigation to nearby residents. Developers also say that the proposed landscaping scheme will effectively screen the HGV parking and service yard.

The proposed steel frame buildings are set to have metal cladding in a palette of silver/metallic/grey, with feature entrances and glazing to the office elements. New details include removing the darker bands to reflect a lighter palette.

As already approved in previous plans, vehicular access to the new units is to be via Cumwell Lane which is off the A631. A dedicated access road will be provided to both units from Cumwell Lane for HGVs.

The detailed scheme includes a total of 490 car parking spaces, of which 99 will provide for electric charging and 25 will be provided as accessible spaces. An additional 189 spaces for HGV parking is also proposed. Parking for 180 bicycles will be provided across the site.

Letting agents are M1 Agency, Legat Owen and Knight Frank.

Panatonni website

Images: Panatonni / Vista 3d

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News: Latest AMP buildings approved

Detailed plans for the latest commercial space on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham have been approved.

The world-renowned AMP is part of Harworth Group's wider Waverley regeneration scheme where there is the potential for over 2,000 new jobs to be created.

Outline plans were approved last year for a further 242,000 sq ft of commercial floorspace on land to the south of the AMP at Whittle Way and Highfield Spring.

The latest reserved matters application from Harworth is for part of the site and shows three buildings that can be sub-divided into 11 separate units with a total floor area of 92,800 sq ft.

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The buildings are designed to be inkeeping with the character of the AMP, and proposed building materials are to include metal resin rain screen cladding, profile metal cladding and smooth black bricks.

Access is set to be off Whittle Way and Rotherham Council planners secured an improved landscape plan for the site.

Knight Frank is the agent for the scheme, known as R-Evolution Phase Four.

Andrew Blackshaw, Chief Operating Officer, Harworth Group plc, said: “The AMP is a nationally significant centre of excellence for advanced manufacturing and innovation, and testament to Harworth’s ability to deliver large-scale regeneration and attract world-class occupiers to our sites. This next phase of direct development will support the creation of additional high-skill jobs and investment opportunities to the local area.”

Chris Davidson, Joint Regional Director for Yorkshire & Central, Harworth Group plc, added: "We are incredibly proud of the development and growth of the AMP to date. R-Evolution Phase 4 will offer the next generation of high-quality and flexible units at the site, built to a high environmental specification. We expect them to attract a wide range of potential occupiers, further enhancing the occupier line-up of innovative manufacturing businesses at the AMP."

In its latest financial results, Harworth stated that 1.6 million sq ft had been built or sold so far on the AMP with the intended amount of development on completion (scheduled for 2025) at 2.1 million sq ft.

Harworth is also currently underway with the delivery of a 100,000 sq ft facility at the AMP, on behalf of sportswear manufacturer SBD Apparel. Contractors, Lindum York, say that construction work is due to be finished in summer 2022. It is expected to create more than 200 jobs when fully operational.

Harworth Group website

Images: Harworth / Harris Partnership

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News: Updated plans for 715,000 sq ft speculative logistics development in Rotherham

Another set of updated plans for a huge distribution centre development alongside the M18 motorway in Rotherham have been submitted.

Outline plans were approved for "Interchange Park" at Hellaby in 2020 and applicants said that it could be home to over 1,000 jobs. Since then, Panattoni, the largest industrial real estate developer in Europe, has bought the Cumwell Lane site and gained approval for changes to the plans.

Now Panattoni has submitted a reserved matters planning application to Rotherham Council for a 715,000 sq ft speculative development, now-called Panattoni Park Rotherham, consisting of the 630,000 sq ft facility (a maximum of 21 metres high) and a smaller 85,000 sq ft facility (15 metres).

The 40-acre Panattoni Park Rotherham is located in an established distribution location, immediately adjacent to junction 1 of the M18 and just two miles from junction 32 of the M1.

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The plans provide more details on the size, layout and appearance of the buildings, along with a landscape strategy and details of access within the site.

Both are proposed to be steel frame buildings with metal cladding in a palette of silver/metallic/grey, with feature entrances and glazing to the office elements.

As already approved in previous plans, vehicular access to the new units is to be via Cumwell Lane which is off the A631. A dedicated access road will be provided to both units from Cumwell Lane for HGVs.

The detailed scheme includes a total of 490 car parking spaces, of which 99 will provide for electric charging and 25 will be provided as accessible spaces. An additional 189 spaces for HGV parking is also proposed. Parking for 180 bicycles will be provided across the site.

Dan Burn, Development Director for the North West and Yorkshire at Panattoni, said: "We look forward to working with all stakeholders through the planning application process with the aim of bringing forward this nationally significant development."

Local occupiers include Great Bear, Clipper Logistics, DX and FedEx. Letting agents are M1 Agency, Legat Owen and Knight Frank.

Panattoni website

Images: Panattoni

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News: 85,000 sq ft fully let at Rotherham industrial development

Knight Frank has let a further four units totalling 33,000 sq ft of accommodation at a new £7m industrial development at Rotherham to expanding SME businesses – meaning the 85,000 sq ft site is now fully let.

Health & Safety training company Hydro-X, garden design company Bestall & Co Ltd, industrial gas engine and controls specialist Gen-C Ltd and medical equipment storage company Medivest have taken the remaining space at 31 East, a ten unit development by South Yorkshire based developer, EV Waddington Ltd.

Hydro-X currently has five employees with six plus staff planned ongoing; Bestall & Co employ nine staff with another seven anticipated; Gen-C Ltd has five staff with plans to hire another five while Medivest is a new start and looking to add up to four staff to its operations.

The businesses join railway industry provider Direct Track Solutions who took 25,000 sq ft at 31 East and specialist chocolatier Keylink Ltd which moved to 31 East earlier this year.

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Developer Tony Waddington said: “The project, made possible with a £1.6m grant from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), is supplying much needed industrial and manufacturing accommodation for the South Yorkshire region.

“Supporting continued economic growth in Rotherham is key and we are already on site with the next phase which will offer further flexible accommodation for occupiers looking for space along the M1 corridor.”

It is expected that this phase of 31 East, built over ten units, will generate £96m GVA over the next 10-year period.

Rebecca Schofield, partner at the Sheffield office of Knight Frank, which is marketing 31 East, said: “The premises address the lack of commercial property offer of this size across the region, hence why they have proved so popular.”

As well as 31 East, E V Waddington Limited has already developed Northfield Business Park in Rotherham, Vantage Park in Sheffield, Shortwood Business Park in Barnsley, and Aldwarke Business Parks and Chesterton Court in Rotherham.

E V Waddington website
Knight Frank website

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News: Jobs hope as global logistics firm eyes new Rotherham unit

A new Rotherham commercial development looks to have ticked all the right boxes for an expanding logistics firm.

Rothbiz reported back in 2017 that "Vector 31 West" could be created at Waleswood on a parcel of land on the west side of Mansfield Road close to Junction 31 of the M1. The site, next to Gulliver's Valley, Greencore and over the road from LuK, has been backfilled following open cast coal mining operations and development platforms have already been created.

Network Space recently secured outline consent for the £24m industrial development and is advancing plans for up to 254,000 sq ft of B2 and B8 employment space on the 22-acre site.

The development could create in excess of 500 jobs once completed.

A new detailed application shows that an unnamed logistics company has asked Network Space to deliver a bespoke 85,000 sq ft unit.

The proposals for Unit 1 differ from the approved parameters of the outline permission and are for a storage and distribution warehouse with 6,000 sq ft of ancillary office space.

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The application, drawn up by Spawforths, states: "The Unit is intended to be occupied by a logistics occupier who are globally recognised. The company is a leading specialist for trade related services including transport logistics, global ecommerce and distribution. The requirements of this end user have been incorporated into the layout and design of Unit 1."

It adds that the end user provides "import and export, fulfilment services and parcel distribution" and states that this unit alone could provide space for 200 jobs.

The parking facilities onsite would comprise of car parking (73 spaces, including four disabled and 15 electric charging spaces), HGV parking (16 spaces), LGV parking (seven spaces), van parking (26 spaces all of which will be electric charging spaces) and cycle parking (eight spaces).

Some mitigation is proposed, inlcuding acoustic barriers located along the west of the service yard.

Since traffic lights now are being used full time at the nearby junction 31 of the M1, a transport assessment submitted with the plans demonstrates that, whilst the proposed development does constitute an increase in overall traffic levels generated by the whole Vector 31 West Site as a whole during the critical weekday peak periods, the additional traffic levels impacting M1 Junction 31, "does not result in the degradation or worsening of the operation of the junction when compared to the level of operation already considered and approved at outline stage."

Network Space website

Images: Network Space / Harris

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