Hawkins Logistics agrees lease on one of three new units at Fradley Park, Lichfield

Leading property developer, Graftongate has announced the letting of a new 71,903 sq ft warehouse unit in Lichfield to one of the Midlands’ fastest growing haulage companies. 

UK-based warehouse and distribution company Hawkins Logistics has taken immediate occupancy of Merlin, one of three new speculative ‘mid box’ units that comprise the Wellington Trilogy development at Fradley Park.

Employing over 100 members of staff from two existing sites in Rugeley, Hawkins operates more than 60 vehicles and employs 100 staff. Merlin provides the haulage company with 12,000 racked pallet capacity and will facilitate the next chapter of its growth plans. 

The Wellington Trilogy development was completed by investment manager Legal & General, and developer, Graftongate earlier this year. 

A former RAF base, the three individual buildings are named after some of the pioneering aircraft that flew from the site. Two further units, Pegasus, comprising 50,978 sq ft and Perseus, delivering 60,838 sq ft are available for immediate occupation.

Tom Irons, general manager at Hawkins Logistics, said: “This investment in a high quality warehouse is testament to the vision that the Senior Management have had since the inception of the company in 2009. Our business continues to grow at a monumental rate and Unit 1 has been built to a very high specification with the requirements of logistics operators in mind. Fradley is the perfect location for us to service our customers.”

Colin Beasley, director at Graftongate, said: “Our joint venture partner, Legal & General has invested heavily in Fradley Park to strengthen its attractiveness as a business location. The three Wellington Crescent units have been developed to provide best in class specifications in terms of eaves height, loading, and yard depth, which appealed to Hawkins as a logistics operator.”

Matt Jarvis, senior fund manager for UK property fund at LGIM Real Assets, added: “We are delighted to welcome Hawkins to Fradley Park. They are a fantastic addition and testament to the high quality warehouse space on offer. This lease represents the continued demand we’re seeing for high-quality, flexible warehouse space based within key transport networks, particularly those in close proximity to major towns and cities.”

Matthew Tilt, director for industrial and logistics at LSH, commented: “For a deal of this nature to complete in the midst of a global pandemic supports our view that high-quality warehousing will be an essential element of any economic recovery. In addition to an impressive and growing list of customers, Hawkins has been busy delivering essential ventilators to NHS trusts throughout the UK and we are delighted to welcome them to Fradley Park and to kick off this new scheme in style.”

The Wellington Trilogy is located toward the front of Fradley Park on Wellington Crescent, accessed from the A38 via Wood End Lane. Fradley Park comprises over 300 acres of first-class space for distribution, warehousing and manufacturing, and houses high profile names such as DHL, Screwfix and Tesco.

The central location and established road networks servicing the site make Fradley Park the ideal location for operations requiring access to the wider Midlands region and the rest of the UK.

The A38 links with the M6(T) and M42 to the south providing a gateway to the Midlands and South East, whilst providing efficient access to the North via the A50 which links the M1 and M6 motorways.

For more information about the Wellington Trilogy, please contact the scheme’s retained agents, MWRE, Avison Young or Lambert Smith Hampton or visit www.thewellingtontrilogy.co.uk.