Property developer St. Modwen Logistics has agreed deals for two huge new warehouses which are being built in Stoke-on-Trent.
The company has invested in excess of £65.5 million in the city through the development of more than 450,000 sq ft of industrial space in the past 18 months, and is currently developing a further 480,000 sq ft at its St. Modwen Park Stoke Central scheme on Festival Park, Etruria.
Now St. Modwen has announced that it has signed two pre-let deals with online PC and gaming business Overclockers UK, which has taken a 99,000 sq ft warehouse, and National Veterinary Services which has agreed to take a 250,000 sq ft unit at the site.
Overclockers says the move will support the 'rapid business growth' it has experienced over the last two years as a result of a high demand for PC and gaming computers.
Steve Ling, managing director at Overclockers UK, said: "Throughout 2021, we continued to see record demand for high-performance computers and gaming hardware.
"As a result, we have outgrown our current space in Newcastle-under-Lyme, so need to expand our premises to reflect this growth – scaling from a 32,000 sq ft unit to a 99,000 sq ft unit in Etruria."
Steve added: "Our workforce is highly skilled. We configure some of the world's most powerful personal computers, so a significant proportion of the team are hired as apprentices and trained on the job. Our new unit will allow us to continue employing and nurturing a highly skilled local workforce in the Stoke-on-Trent area."
National Veterinary Services, which is currently based in Talke Pits, says its new unit will support the company in supplying and distributing products to animal health practices across the UK.
Managing director Martin Riley said: "Stoke-on-Trent has a growing reputation as an attractive location for the logistics and warehousing sector. The move to St. Modwen Park Stoke Central will allow us to continue our growth plans, building on our success over the last five years."
The latest pre-lets follow similar deals at the 400-acre St. Modwen Park Stoke South site, at Trentham Lakes, which has recently welcomed major occupiers including E.ON, Planova UK and Neida Products.
Polly Troughton, managing director at St. Modwen Logistics, said: "Our aim is to provide our customers with the space and support they need to succeed and, thanks to its location and access to one of the UK's largest labour pools, Stoke-on-Trent is ideally placed for businesses looking to grow, regardless of their size.
"Through our activities, and the activities of our customers, our buildings and logistics parks bring a variety of good quality jobs and encourage valuable investment into local areas. This is key to supporting the Government's Levelling Up agenda to regenerate the area and give local people and businesses access to the opportunities they deserve."
