A commercial property scheme in East Dorset is now 70% let following the latest raft of signings.
Bedrock Park, a speculative development by Northwood Urban Logistics, comprises 26 trade counter, industrial and warehouse units at Vulcan Way, Ferndown Industrial Estate.
Unit 17, the largest building at 33,735 sq ft, with a gated and enclosed yard area, 8.4m clear internal height, fitted offices on the first floor and solar panels, has been leased, as has a 2,886 sq ft warehouse at unit 26, with fully fitted first floor offices.
Unit 14, a 14,980 sq ft warehouse with fully fitted first floor offices, has been let to Look Storage, which operates self storage for domestic and commercial customers.
A Look Storage spokesperson, Richard Davies, said: “Whilst the self-storage industry is a growth sector it is still highly fragmented. Look Storage offers a high-quality product servicing secondary and tertiary demographics.
“Bedrock Park gives us access to more than 65,000 potential domestic and 1,200 business customers within our target range and, with a lack of quality buildings in BCP, Bedrock Park was an obvious choice for us.”
An existing occupier on the industrial estate, Special Products for Special Cakes, which trades as Anniversary House and is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers and distributors of cake decorations and baking accessories, has expanded with 8,356 sq ft at unit 19.
Liam Dell, Chief Operating Officer at Anniversary House, said: “We found the attraction of a new build so appealing, and we felt that Bedrock Park had a real upmarket feel to it.
“Northwood were so accommodating to help us get into the site promptly, completing within two weeks of agreeing occupational terms.
“Their hands-on approach contributed to a smooth transition during the move, which was essential for keeping our business running smoothly. I would recommend this site to all businesses – they won’t be disappointed.”
Unit 2, a 2,689 sq ft trade counter unit, has been leased to D A Plastics Holdings, an existing occupier on Ferndown Industrial Estate.
Bryony Thompson, an Associate at Vail Williams, working out of the firm’s Bournemouth office, said: “With the latest signings, Bedrock Park is now 70% let and we are in discussions with a number of businesses keen to move here.
“Occupiers are drawn to Bedrock Park not only for its position in servicing the 400,000-plus population in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole conurbation but also to the energy efficiency aspects of the workplaces – Bedrock Park is designed to incorporate green credentials, with A and B energy performance certification.”
Bryony added: “Rents for pre-lets and proposed developments in Dorset’s industrial market are increasing due to a supply squeeze, compounded by a lack of new development this year; we anticipate headline rents moving towards £11.50 – £12 per square foot by this December compared to last year’s £10.50 sq ft for pre-lets between 16,000 sq ft – 40,000 sq ft.”
By the A31, Bedrock Park provides convenient access to the West Country and, via the east bound A31, to the UK motorway network via the M27 (Portsmouth and Southampton) and M3 (Winchester and London).
Vail Williams is joint marketing agent with DTRE and Realest on behalf of Northwood Urban Logistics.
Units 1 to 11a comprise trade counters and light industrial/warehouse units from 2,688 sq ft to 4,734 sq ft with 6.5m clear internal height; the first five are finished to a shell specification and the remainder fitted with first-floor offices.
Units 18 to 26 are light industrial/warehouse units, from 2,886 sq ft to 6,260 sq ft, with 8.4m clear internal height. Some of the units are fitted with first floor offices and some are finished to a shell specification so occupiers and fit out to their own needs.
Bedrock Park itself totals 188,271 sq ft.
Green technologies include low air permeability design, electric vehicle charging points, photovoltaic panels on units 13-17 and 21, high-performance insulated cladding and roof materials, increased natural lighting in warehousing and secure cycle parking.
Located on a premier industrial location in the Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch conurbation, all the units, which come with electric loading doors, are available leasehold.