IM Properties has completed the prelet of one of the largest distribution units in the West Midlands at its 400-acre Birch Coppice Business Park near Tamworth.
As tipped on EGi in July this year, the 778,000 sq ft distribution unit has been taken by automotive component supplier Euro Car Parts for a new national distribution centre. A 20-year lease has been agreed at an undisclosed rent, at around £5.50 per sq ft.
The scheme is due for completion in January 2016, and will include 47,500 sq ft of offices alongside four level access doors and 64 dock doors.
Kevin Ashfield, senior development director at IM Properties, said: “This letting is great news for the local area as it will increase the number of jobs provided by Euro Car Parts to over 1,350. We have worked closely with them for a number of months to design a bespoke scheme that is designed around their sophisticated internal automation system.”
ECP currently occupies over 600,000 sq ft of warehousing on the same estate, which will be retained and transformed into a specialist facility for collision, coatings and green parts.
Martin Gray, chief executive of Euro Car Parts, added: “Actions speaks louder than words and this unprecedented investment demonstrates our long-term commitment not just to the UK aftermarket but to our customers and our people.
“Due to the scale of the unit that we were looking for, there were very few opportunities in the market that met our requirements. However, having worked with IM Properties and having an existing presence at Birch Coppice, we felt confident that they would be able to deliver exactly the right level of accommodation we needed.”
Birch Coppice, in Dordon at junction 10 of the M42, is the West Midlands’ largest rail-served development site. Existing tenants include Ocado, Volkswagen Group, Bunzl, and Severn Trent.
IM Properties completed the prelet, with CBRE acting for Euro Car Parts.
