North West dominates rising UK speculative industrial space

There is more speculative industrial floorspace under construction in the North West than any other region of the UK, according to a report by King Sturge.

The property adviser's UK Industrial and Distribution Floorspace Today study says the North West has 13.6% of the UK's speculative floorspace under construction.

This compares to 13.1% in Yorkshire and 12.6% in the East Midlands. The West Midlands accounted for 10.8% while Greater London had 10.7% of the total.

The report covers the first six months of 2007, during which period available space reached 228.6m sq ft in the country as a whole, a rise of 4.5% on the previous half-year.

The North West's traditional dominance as a manufacturing centre has left it with a lot of former factory space now being acquired and converted for distribution, trade counter and light industrial use. There has also been a spate of large sheds being built in recent years by Cheshire-based Gladman, Gazeley and others.

Tim Johnson, King Sturge's head of industrial agency, said: "The increase is due to big shed speculative development, the closure of manufacturing premises and the increase in secondhand warehouse space as a result of ongoing consolidation or expansion by others.

"We are generally not concerned about the increase in vacancy but, where product is in secondary locations, it could struggle."

Your Comments

Read our comments policy

Related Articles

Sign up to receive the Place Daily Briefing

Join more than 13,000 property professionals and receive your free daily round-up of built environment news direct to your inbox

Subscribe

Join more than 13,000 property professionals and sign up to receive your free daily round-up of built environment news direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you are agreeing to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.

"*" indicates required fields

Your Job Field*
Other regional Publications - select below