Gordons advises B&M Retail on Cheshire distribution warehouse totalling 810,000 sq ft
Thursday 11th June 2015
Gordons has helped leading variety retailer B&M bolster its warehouse capacity by agreeing leases on two additional distribution warehouses in Cheshire.
The total space leased is 810,000 sq ft, comprising new leases on the 350,000 sq ft Onyx 350 facility in Runcorn and a 460,000 sq ft distribution centre in Middlewich. Liverpool-based B&M estimates the warehouses will create over 500 jobs between them, on top of those staff transferring from its other North West facilities.
B&M, which currently has 444 UK stores, reported an increase in group sales of 29.5 per cent to £1.6bn for the last financial year.
B&M was advised on both deals by Gordons commercial property partner, Joanne Fearnley. She has acted for the company on all its property matters, and principally on its store acquisition programme, for over 10 years. When Joanne started advising B&M, the retailer had only a handful of outlets in the north west of England.
Commenting on the distribution warehouse deals, B&M’s chief executive, Simon Arora, said: “We believe we are the UK’s leading variety retailer. To provide our shoppers with exceptional value, we must have a highly efficient supply chain infrastructure in place.
“The new distribution warehouses are essential to achieving that objective. Advice provided by Joanne Fearnley and the team at Gordons regarding the sites has enabled us to secure the warehouses quickly and on acceptable terms.
“Gordons understands retail, and B&M in particular, which means its people are able to act quickly and think entrepreneurially on our behalf. These latest deals are great examples of Gordons’ highly effective approach.”
B&M, which listed on the London Stock Exchange last year, sells toys, housewares, furniture, garden products and food, including major brands and own range products.
Gordons’ Joanne Fearnley commented: “As one of the UK’s fastest growing retailers, B&M requires legal services delivered with precision and pace. Our long-standing relationship with the business means we instinctively know how to work with B&M to provide commercially-focused advice.”