Sladen signs Linpac for thriving Winsford park

Sladen Developments has let a speculative 150,000 sq ft unit on Winsford Industrial Estate in Cheshire to Linpac Materials Handling.

Linpac has taken the space on a long lease at a rent of £4.50/sq ft and is currently fitting out ahead of occupation in April.

The building was erected by Sladen on seven acres acquired 18 months ago with the profit from an earlier scheme in Stoke. Sladen was advised on both deals by Matthew Pochin, director at Lamont, who said: "Winsford is often seen as a secondary market but the deals being done here are as strong as any in the North West."

Also at Winsford Industrial Estate, Pochin advised LaSalle Investment Managers and joint venture partner Lynton Developments recently on an acquisition of land from Threadneedle.

The JV is planning to refurbish 100,000 sq ft of existing warehouses and seek consent to build a further 170,000 sq ft in a single unit.

Pochin added: "Despite the uncertainty in the market, developers we are involved with in Cheshire are having the courage to put buildings up and we are not far off the pace in terms of rent."

Prior to Christmas, Bentley Motors took 150,000 sq ft at Highcross's and Graftongate Developments' Orion Park in Crewe for its world parts distribution centre.

Pochin believes the market for mid-size warehouses will remain strong in the area on the back of transport links and a ready workforce. Smaller speculative buildings of around 40,000 sq ft to 50,000 sq ft are also planned at Orion Park.

M3 was joint letting agent with Lamont for Sladen Developments. Colliers CRE in Birmingham acted for Linpac. GVA Grimley and Lamont acted for LaSalle/Lynton Developments. Bentley was advised by Colliers CRE Birmingham.