Pall-Ex confirms Midlands flagship distribution centre
Pall-Ex has confirmed that it is going ahead with the development of a state-of-the-art flagship distribution centre in the Midlands following a deal with developer Barberry.
By Liza Helps, Property Editor, Logistics Matters
DEVELOPER BARBERRY has agreed a pre-let with the pallet network operator to build a 408,000 ft2 Group HQ and flagship hub operation that Pall_eX said would ‘revolutionise operational excellence and sustainability’. Logistics Matters broke the story in March exclusively.
The £80 million cutting-edge, state-of-the-art freight distribution hub in Leicestershire that will set the standard in the sector, and will cover 408,000 sq ft, with an additional 100,000 sq ft canopy, on a 35-acre site.
The facility will serve as the flagship logistics hub for the network and will house Pall-Ex’s UK and European headquarters. Pall-Ex has signed a 25 year lease term.
Pall-Ex Group Chief Executive OfficerKevin 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.
“This investment signals a massive opportunity for our stakeholders, reinforcing Pall-Ex’s position at the forefront of operational excellence.
Scheduled to begin construction later this year, the Centre of Excellence has been designed with sustainability and innovation at its core. It will be built to exceptional ESG standards, aiming for EPC A+ and BREEAM Excellent accreditation.
To achieve the highest rating of EPC A+, the new hub incorporates 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 has now lodged a planning application at Hinckley and Bosworth District Council for the development on land at Bardon, Leicestershire. The proposals show it is expected to create around 500 construction jobs and an estimated 534 permanent jobs.Work is scheduled to start on site in Q4 this year, subject to planning.
Barberry development director Jonathan Robinson said: “We are thrilled to announce that we have secured a pre-let agreement with Pall-Ex to deliver the company’s new national centre of excellence in Leicestershire – the largest build-to-suit pre-let in the UK this year.
“Working closely with Pall-Ex we plan to create a new national palletised freight distribution center 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.
“After agreeing a long-term lease with the company, we have now submitted a planning application to Hinckley and Bosworth District Council for a 408,000 sq ft warehouse at Bardon, located just a couple of miles from junction 22 of the M1, providing access to the national motorway network.”
Barberry has a 3.3 million sq ft industrial/logistics development pipeline with a Gross Development Value of more than £600 million and a growing income-producing commercial portfolio, delivering sustainable returns. The company also has 515 acres of strategically located residential and employment development land, capable of delivering 3,500 new homes including a 288 Build-to-rent (BTR) apartment scheme in the heart of Coventry city centre.
