Gordons advises confectionery supplier Morris & Son on 52,400 sq ft warehouse acquisition

Thursday 24th October 2019

Confectionery supplier and food and drink stock management specialist Morris & Son has secured a 52,400 sq ft warehouse in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, to enable its continued growth.

Morris & Son was advised on the move by Gordons commercial property solicitor, Jennifer Herdman. The firm secured a 10-year lease for the company on the purpose-built facility with landlord Columbia Threadneedle Investments.

The £17m turnover company specialises in wholesaling clearance food, drink and household products, including short-dated or excess stock from the original manufacturer. Morris & Son supplies into the value sector with its customer base including independent retailers, discount stores and major UK discount chains.

The new facility is located on Dodsworth Business Park just off junction 37 of the M1 and will consolidate two existing warehouses in Leeds and Sheffield. It provides Morris & Son with additional storage and distribution capacity, as well as enabling product range expansions and additional recruitment.

Following an extensive fit-out, the company is scheduled to move in October and will relocate its 60 staff to Barnsley whilst retaining a small presence in Leeds.

Commenting on the new warehouse, Morris & Son owner and chief executive, Andy Needham, said: “This is a superb, modern facility which will provide us with improved warehouse and distribution efficiencies. We were very pleased with Gordons’ proactive and commercially practical advice as it allowed us to secure the site quickly. It provides us with the foundations for further expansion, including substantially developing our range of products.”

Gordons commercial property solicitor, Jennifer Herdman, added: “Morris & Son is a thriving company with the potential for significant expansion. It is great to be involved with a progressive and ambitious food and drink business and, with Andy having a clear growth strategy for Morris & Son, we are sure the move will underpin its continued success.”

Morris & Son was also advised on the deal by property consultancies Knight Frank in Sheffield and Gent Visick in Leeds.

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