IKEA is scouring the Midlands and the North for a site large enough to accommodate a huge 92,900 sq m (1m sq ft) distribution depot. The company has a requirement for a second UK warehouse and is looking for a site between Northampton and Manchester with easy access to a rail depot and the motorway network.
Charles Smith, partner at King Sturge in Birmingham, said: “It is a huge requirement from a single occupier. It will need a 20.2ha (50 acre) site and there aren’t that many around.” IKEA already has a 55,740 sq m (600,000 sq ft) warehouse at Pillar Properties’ A1/M1 Link Park in Thrapston, near Northampton.
The new facility is needed to serve the Swedish firm’s growing network of stores, the latest of which opens in Bristol later this year.
EGi News 10/07/98
