Work on the first phase of a major expansion project at one of the largest distribution sites in the North West is now complete.
Three new units, built by Buckingham Group in the first phase of Logistics North’s ‘Multiply’ development, are now ready for occupation.
Multiply is being delivered by a joint venture between Harworth and the Lancashire County Pension Fund (LCPF) – constructing a total of 10 commercial units totalling approximately 564,000 sq ft across 31.2 acres over the next 18 months.
Councillor Linda Thomas, Deputy Leader of Bolton Council, said: “I am delighted that Logistics North will continue to create more jobs for our residents.
“Logistics North is the largest industrial development in the North West and we know that demand for units there is high. I am sure high-quality companies will continue to be attracted to the development and come to Bolton, which will bring further jobs to the borough.
“One of the site’s unique points is the country park that is being created alongside it. Work on it is progressing well and residents are getting the country park they were promised - it is an important part of the regeneration of the site.”
Ian Ball, Executive Director of Income Generation at Harworth Group plc, added: “I am delighted that we have delivered these units on-time to bring further jobs to Bolton and the region.
“New high-quality commercial development remains at an absolute premium across the North of England and I am confident that we will be able to swiftly secure occupiers for the three new units.”
The milestone follows a series of developments in rapid succession in 2017.
In January, Whistl, the second largest postal operator in the UK, announced its decision to take a ten-year lease on a unit, with more than 300 staff starting work from its new depot in May.
In June, Bolton’s Olympic cycling gold medallist Jason Kenny opened Aldi’s new store.
Aldi already employs 550 staff at the development within its 610,000 sq ft distribution centre, which opened in April 2016.
In August, Greene King’s new Pine Tree Farm pub and a Costa drive-through facility close to the entrance of the site opened.
More than 1,500 people are already employed on the site and Amazon and Lidl are due to open units in 2018. Once complete, Logistics North is expected to deliver around 5,000 jobs.
The LCPF is advised by Local Pension Partnership and Knight Frank Investment Management.
John Styles, Partner at Knight Frank Investment Management LLP, added: “We are pleased that all the new Multiply units have been delivered on time and have been extremely impressed by how Logistics North has developed in 2017.
“Our goal is to quickly attract tenants into these units and with significant pent up demand for new space still existing in the region, we are sure that Multiply can help meet this business need.”