Screwfix Direct sign up for Trentham Lakes

Stoke-on-Trent Regeneration Ltd has exchanged contracts with Screwfix Direct Ltd, on an agreement for lease of a bespoke 29,496 sq m (317,500 sq ft ) distribution centre on Trentham Lakes, Stoke-on-Trent.

Screwfix Direct, a subsidiary of the Kingfisher Group, the leading mail order and on-line supplier of screws, fittings and tools, is expanding

rapidly. The new facility will be the company’s biggest distribution hub.

The company is taking a 25-year lease at an initial rental of £3.75 per sq ft. Construction has already commenced on site and the shell is due for completion in April 2003 following which will begin internal fitting out

works.

The centre is scheduled to begin operating in Spring 2004. The site provides for expansion by a further 12,077 sq m (130,000 sq ft) and when fully operational some 650 (500 full time equivalent) new jobs will have been created. The initial phase of development will create 450 (300 full time equivalent) new jobs.

The centre will comprise 9,290 sq m (100,000 sq ft) of high bay (28m to haunch) and 18,580 sq m (200,000 sq ft) of medium bay (14m to haunch) plus offices and ancillary accommodation, and will be the largest building on

Trentham Lakes.

Stoke-on-Trent Regeneration Ltd, the joint venture vehicle of St Modwen Properties PLC and Stoke-on-Trent City Council, is developing the 400-acre mixed use Trentham Lakes scheme adjacent to the A50 at Stoke, on which more than 46,450 sq m (500,000 sq ft) of distribution space has been developed in the past 18 months.

Mike Herbert of Stoke-on-Trent Regeneration, commented: “The securing of Screwfix Direct at Trentham Lakes is further great news for Staffordshire, and Stoke-on-Trent in particular, with multi-million pounds of inward investment and the creation of many new jobs.

“The development coming on the back of other major facilities for Sainsburys, TK Maxx and Pets At Home, yet again confirms the city’s

emergence as a prime distribution location, both in terms of its motorway network position and the readily available labour supply. “A further factor in Screwfix Direct’s decision to choose Trentham Lakes was Stoke-on-Trent Regeneration’s ability to provide a comprehensive

package and delivery of the completed facility within the company’s tight time frame.”

Colin McCarthy, Operations Director of Screwfix Direct, said: “We are delighted to be working with St Modwen and Stoke-on-Trent Regeneration on this exciting and vital stage in the development of our business.” Daniel & Hulme and Insignia Richard Ellis acted for Stoke-on-Trent

Regeneration. Fuller Peiser are retained as agents and project managers for Screwfix Direct together with LPC International Ltd who are retained as programme managers.