DRL signs for 50,000 sq ft at Parklands

White goods retailer DRL has signed a 15-year lease for a 50,000 sq ft headquarters at Orbit Developments' 5A Parklands office building at Middlebrook, Bolton.

DRL is moving only 10 months after taking 30,000 sq ft in the same business park.

The deal – valued at £15.50/sq ft and secured on DRL's behalf by OBI Property – represents the largest Greater Manchester letting outside Manchester city centre this year.

DRL is moving due to the rapid expansion of its Appliances-on-Line business, which is soon to rebrand as AO.com. The company's turnover has increased from £50m to £275m in the last four years.

Will Lewis, director of OBI Property, said: "We have been working with DRL on its property needs for the past 12 months and having outgrown their space quickly in Middlebrook, we worked with them and Orbit Developments to find one building to accommodate the growing team.

"OBI is also handling the project management of the fit-out and interior design of the new headquarters."

Tony Jones, managing director of Orbit Developments, said: "5A Parklands is now fully let to DRL.

"Orbit's Middlebrook development has been DRL's home for many years and their unique retail strategies have seen them go from strength to strength.

"Our Parklands office development is ideally located for their business, with its excellent transport infrastructure and on-site amenities.

"We are pleased to be able sustain our strong relationship with DRL and their expansion within Middlebrook is a testament to the increasing demand for office space in this part of Bolton. We look forward to working alongside them again in the future."