A major new logistics unit in Northampton has been launched to agents, paving the way for new jobs to be created in the town
Liberty 196, which was developed on the former Howard Smith Paper site on the Brackmills Industrial Estate, one of the most prominent locations for logistics and distribution in the country, played host to more than 50 industrial agents from across the region at its official launch.
Developer Liberty Property Trust and its development partners Equation Properties have delivered the prime 197,216 sq ft unit, which benefits from an excellent strategic location, being close to the M1.
Andrew Blevins, managing director of Liberty Property Trust, said: “The Howard Paper Building was well known in the area, so we felt we had a real responsibility to the local community to deliver a quality redevelopment and we are delighted at the finished result.
“Northampton is a strategic location in the Midlands’ golden triangle for logistics, with easy access to London and the south east. Because these types of development opportunities are rare, we are already experiencing high levels of interest from national operators.
“The agents who came to the launch are confident that they can convert interest quickly and we’re looking forward to being able to make an announcement soon.”
Simon Holley, of Equation Properties, added: “We’ve been buoyed by the feedback we received at the launch about Liberty 196 and the support we’ve had throughout the redevelopment. Now that the unit is ready for fit out we hope that a new occupier will be in place soon, bringing new jobs.”
Liberty 196 comprises a warehouse of 177,192 sq ft, a warehouse office of 15,627 sq ft and a 4,397 sq ft hub office. The warehouse has a 15-metre minimum clear height, floor loading of 50kN per square metre, 22 dock-level doors and four level access doors, while outside there are yard areas on two elevations, with a maximum depth of 50 metres, 152 car parking spaces and 34 HGV parking spaces.
Liberty 196 is located at the gateway to the Brackmills Industrial Estate Business Improvement District. It comprises 730 acres of industrial, warehousing and office space and is home to 150 companies, including DHL, Great Bear, Howdens, Wickes and ASDA. More than 11,000 people are employed on the estate.
