Pall-Ex £80 million national HQ and state-of-the-art distribution centre gets go-ahead

By Liza Helps, Property Editor, Logistics Matters

LOGISTICS NETWORK company Pall-Ex and commercial property developer and investor Barberry were given the go-ahead for the construction of a cutting-edge, state-of-the-art freight distribution hub in Leicestershire, yesterday.

The development – the largest build-to-suit pre-let deal in the UK this year – will cover 408,000 ft2 with an additional 100,000 ft2 of canopy space, on a 14.2-hectare site and will serve as the flagship logistics hub for the network housing Pall-Ex’s UK and European headquarters.

It will be built to achieve and EPC A+ and BREEAM Excellent accreditation incorporating a variety of energy-efficient and eco-friendly features, including electric vehicle charging stations, solar panels and designated green spaces. Once complete, it will be the first purpose-built facility in the pallet network sector in the UK to be energy self-sufficient, setting the standard for environmentally responsible logistics.

Barberry Development director Jonathan Robinson said: “We are thrilled to announce that, having earlier this year secured a pre-let agreement with Pall-Ex to deliver the company’s new national Centre of Excellence in Leicestershire, we have now achieved planning consent.

“Our development is key to the region and will create around 500 construction jobs and an estimated 534 permanent jobs, business rates for the local authority and economic growth for local businesses and the community.

“Working closely with Pall-Ex, we will create a new national palletised freight distribution centre that will deliver new ESG credentials, carbon net zero in occupation, staff welfare recreation zone incorporating football pitch, basketball court, club house, helping attract and retain staff while providing Pall-Ex with the operational excellence that will make the business stand out amongst its UK competitors.

“I would like to thank Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council for their key engagement with this process and indeed their exemplary service and support for our scheme.”

Pall-Ex Group chief executive officer Kevin Buchanan, views the construction of the new HQ as a pivotal stage of the company’s strategy to revolutionise the way the network operates in terms of sustainability and operational excellence.

He said: “Our new, multi-million-pound, cutting-edge Centre of Excellence isn’t just about expansion and growth – it’s about redefining the industry through technology, quality, and state-of-the-art infrastructure. As a market leader, we are immensely proud to unveil plans for premises that will be A+ rated, carbon-neutral, and built for the future.”