Howdens Joinery is set to move to Wrexham's newest industrial development. The multinational furniture company is one of two tenants to have signed leases for a combined 55,000 sq ft at FI Real Estate Management’s new sites at Wrexham Industrial Estate.
Howdens Joinery has taken approximately 10,000 sq ft across five units at the nearby Wrexham Point, where six further units ranging from 3,357 sq ft to 5,013 sq ft are currently available to let.
Gorton Brothers is the second tenant confirmed and will commence a 15-year lease for a total of 45,000 sq ft at unit 72b, enabling the business to consolidate and expand its operations with increased storage and distribution capability.
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Wrexham Industrial Estate extends over 550 hectares and is home to over 340 businesses across automotive, aerospace, food, pharmaceuticals and engineering sectors. These businesses collectively employ over 10,000 people.
The two new leases closely follow completion of building work at unit 72b and Wrexham Point, adding to FIREM’s 25,000 sq ft unit 50b on Clywedog Road North, where construction finished in June this year.
As the largest owner of land at Wrexham Industrial Estate, FIREM’s investment in Wrexham currently totals £30m and forms part of the business’ rapidly expanding presence in North Wales. Plans for the site comprise a total of 2.2m sq ft of new build commercial space with roadside retail, leisure, industrial and trade counter units.
Future plans include a detailed planning application for a single 150,000 sq ft unit of Clywedog Road South. FIREM is also proposing to redevelop the Bridgeway Centre on Bridge Road to create new industrial units ranging from 900 sq ft to 8,400 sq ft for small and large businesses.
Building work at Wrexham Industrial Estate is being delivered by FI Construction, which specialises in large-scale industrial, residential and mixed-use developments.
FIREM’s presence in Wrexham also includes the acquisition of 833,000 sq ft warehousing company, F. Lloyd (Penley) Ltd, in April 2021 and a multi-let, two-acre site which includes 13 units totalling 21,000 sq ft.
Wider investment in Wales has also seen FIREM explore development opportunities in Caldicot, Ebbw Vale, Cwmfelinfach, Cwmbran, Caernarfon and Deeside. All plans form part of the business’ strategy to boost local economies through the provision of high quality commercial property. FIREM now manages assets totalling more than £1bn.
Matt Gorton, Director at Gorton Brothers said: “The success of our business relies on investments such as FI’s, which increase our options for high quality space where we can improve and expand our business. It’s really important that these investments are part of a bigger picture for the local economy because it’s not just simply a case of supporting local businesses but also attracting businesses from elsewhere, which bring a valuable boost to employment.”
A spokesperson for Howdens Joinery said: “We have been looking for new premises in this part of Wrexham for some time and we are very pleased to be opening a new depot at Clywedog Road North on Wrexham Industrial Estate in the near future.”
FIREM's founder and managing director Tim Knowles said: “This completion underpins our commitment to Wrexham and our determination to use our presence as a quality industrial developer to support growing businesses in Wrexham and supports the local economy as a whole.
“High quality commercial space is in huge demand across the country and Wrexham’s excellent connectivity places it at the top of the list. Our development strategy in North Wales will ensure these businesses also have access to a diverse variety of space that suits their needs.
“Our work with Wrexham Council will also ensure our ongoing investment creates tangible opportunities for local employment and training and positively impacts the local community for the long term.”
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