EXCLUSIVE: Health & Beauty company secures Northampton distribution centre in just two months
Discount heath and beauty retailer Savers has secured a new distribution centre in Northampton known as the Big Swan in a deal that took only eight weeks from heads of terms to completion.
By Liza Helps, Property Editor, Logistics Matters
THE PROPERTY involved, known as Big Swan, was launched to market in April this year totalling 323,586 ft2. According to sales particulars through Savills and Apex Real Estate, it has 286,505 ft2 of warehouse space with 12m eaves as well as 36 dock and two level access doors served by yard up to 85m with parking for 55 HGVs. There is 1.96 acres of additional concrete hardstanding. The property is available for occupation from September 2026.
According to a LinkedIn post by Superdrug Stores/AS Watson Head of Property Acquisitions Iain Henderson the deal to acquire the property took just two months to complete. “I am so proud to share that in just 8 weeks from securing heads of terms, we are now lease completed and fitting out our new DC ready for peak trade!”
Savers Health Home & Beauty, whose sister companies include Superdrug and The Perfume Shop under parent company AS Watson Group, will use the distribution centre as its key base as it prepares for expansion with new store openings over the next three years.
The new warehouse, which will be run by long standing 3PL contractor GXO, will provide ‘additional capacity across its distribution network and give the company greater flexibility as it accelerates its expansion plans’.
It is expected that the facility will go operational in late 2026.
Big Swan was built in 2006 by developer Astral and has been owned until recently by Aviva Investors. It was originally let to Pets At Home whose lease has now come to an end. The property was sold earlier this year in an off market deal to Fidelity International for £43 million to be part of its Logistics Impact Climate Solutions Fund (LOGICS). BSB Real Estate advised.
The property is undergoing a comprehensive refurbishment which includes upgrades and implementation of solar PV, EV charging and full decarbonisation initiatives. On completion the property will have a BREEAM Excellent and EPC A rating.
Mason & Partners advised Savers with legal representation from Womble Bond Dickinson. Fidelity was advised by Apex Real Estate and Savills.
