Work begins on Swizzels’ Cheshire base

GMI Construction has started work on a 158,000 sq ft building for the confectioner at Ma6nitude, the first phase of a facility that could grow to 458,000 sq ft.

The developer of the Middlewich scheme is Magnitude Land LLP, a joint venture between Tritax Symmetry – the development arm of Tritax Big Box REIT – and NPL, the business headed by ex-Pochin directors Jim and Bob Nicholson.

In summer 2021, the partners secured outline consent to add a further 1m sq ft of additional warehousing at the site, building on land south of Cledford Lane, west of the proposed Middlewich Eastern bypass.

Long established as a North West brand responsible for Love Hearts and Squashies among others, Swizzels’ building has been designed by AEW.

Completion is expected by the end of 2022 on the facility, for which plans were lodged in April 2020.

To the northern area of the site at MA6NITUDE, Tritax Symmetry and GMI are delivering two new build facilities which are being speculatively built and will comprise 149,000 sq ft and 41,000 sq ft. available in June 2022.

David Nuttall, development director at Tritax Symmetry, said: “MA6NITUDE continues to evolve and with the two new speculative buildings available in the summer, we are well placed to welcome new high-quality occupiers to the area.

“Swizzels’ new manufacturing building will be an exceptional facility for their business and also opens up a further plot to enable us to deliver a 230,000 sq ft building by early 2023.”

Marc Banks, divisional marketing director at GMI, added: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been instructed to construct this important new facility for famous UK confectionery manufacturer Swizzels.

“GMI enjoys a strong and expanding working relationship with Tritax Symmetry and we look forward to delivering another high quality outcome for them.”

Legat Owen, Savills and B8 Real Estate are joint agents on the project, which sits close to Junction 18 of the M6.

Magnitude Land’s project team includes RPS as project manager and QS, civils and infrastructure specialist SGI and CMS Solicitors.

The project team gather for a scheme expected to complete by year end. Credit: Stuart Bogg Imaging