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SEGRO buys Bracknell site for development
SEGRO’s recent acquisition of a 13-acre prime development site in Bracknell1 will not only replenish its strategically located land-bank but also help satisfy pent-up demand for industrial and logistics property.
The site, formerly BMW’s UK headquarters, is on Ellesfield Avenue within the Southern Industrial Estate, strategically located less than a mile from the A329(M), four miles from the M4 – J10, and six from the M3 – J3.
Major occupiers such as Waitrose, Fujitsu and Boehringer are already based on the estate.
The plan is to progress redevelopment very quickly, with demolition of existing buildings imminent. The site could accommodate a single distribution unit of circa 225,000 sq ft, or alternatively two or three mid-units of around 40,000 -100,000 sq ft. Other uses, such as self-storage, showroom and drive-thru are also being considered for the site frontage.
SEGRO’s Thames Valley business unit director, Gareth Osborn, said: “There is an increasing demand for quality, well located industrial property. Buying this new site in Bracknell means that we are able to meet that need and develop modern, environmentally green facilities that are in the right place for our target customers.”
SEGRO was advised on the acquisition by Lambert Smith Hampton2 and BMW was advised by GVA.
Philip Hunter, director in
Lambert Smith Hampton’s Reading office, said: “We are very pleased to have assisted SEGRO with its purchase of this important Thames Valley development site, and excited to be working now on securing new occupiers. The current M4 upgrading at J10 and the massive town centre regeneration further add to the benefits of Bracknell as a location.
“There is an increasing level of demand that cannot currently be satisfied, due to an acute lack of supply across all size ranges. This site is therefore very welcome news for potential occupiers.”
Announcing SEGRO’s healthy 2014 full-year results in February, chief executive David Sleath highlighted “an historically low vacancy rate of 6.3% and 2.4% growth in like- for-like rental income.” With SEGRO’s portfolio re-positioning strategy substantially complete and tangible benefits now showing through, he announced “the delivery of 240,000 sq m of new warehouse and logistics space into our markets in the coming months. We also have an excellent land- bank which could deliver a further 1.6 million sq m of space over the next few years.”
1 Bracknell has been short- listed for ‘Town of the Year’ in the 2015 Thames Valley Property Awards being staged in Ascot on May 14.
2 Lambert Smith Hampton is shortlisted for ‘Commercial Property Consultancy of the Year’ and ‘Industrial & Logistics Property Consultancy of the Year’ at the same event.
THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – MAY 2015 Entering competitions
is good for business There are increasing numbers of successful young entrepreneurs in the UK and one of the ways that some ‘stand out from the crowd’ is their ability to differentiate their business
Last year’s winners at the HWYE finals
This pays dividends when the market sector is crowded and the economy is picking up so customers have more buying power.
Sometimes, the fact that there is a young person running the business can be a deterrent to customers simply because they assume they will lack experience. If you can show that your business has something others don’t you have a trump card.
One of the ways that some businesses have gained competitive advantage is by showing customers that they are so good at what they do they are winning awards. They are putting accolades they have won in their marketing mix and highlighting the fact that others think their business is better than the rest.
To gain awards however you either have to be nominated by others – which can be hard to achieve if you’re a relatively new business – or you can enter yourself in a competition. There are many out there, including Haines Watts’ Young Entrepreneur of the Year competition (HWYE), which is now in its sixth year.
Entering a competition will help you improve because, even if you don’t win, you will have to focus on answering questions which will most likely highlight to you the
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strengths and weaknesses of your business.
The HWYE competition is free and is open to applicants running a business in the Thames Valley, defined as Berkshire, Hampshire, Surrey, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Oxfordshire. Applicants must be under 36 years old on July 31, 2015 and there is no lower age limit but candidates should have been running their business for over a year.
This competition has the added advantage that, as well as cash prizes, winners also receive a year’s free mentoring from a partner at Haines Watts and extra PR for their businesses. Visitors to the HWYE website will find online support on offer too, such as helpful tips and a blog.
If you, or someone you know, is interested, go online at www.
hwye.co.uk for details.
Young entrepreneurs can link up on the HWYE Facebook and Twitter sites.
For further information about Haines Watts:
Details:
www.hwca.com
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