£100m Preston logistics hub takes shape

A £100m industrial and logistics hub has officially been launched on the outskirts of Preston.

APTUS is being delivered close to Junction 31a of the M6 by HB Barnfield, a joint venture between HBD (Henry Boot Developments) and Nelson based Barnfield Group.

Once completed it will provide a total of 790,000sq ft of industrial space and is expected to create up to 1,500 new jobs.

Occupiers, agents and industry stakeholders attended the 40-acre site to see first-hand the progress being made on the project.

Infrastructure works have been completed, opening up the entire development.

In June last year, Lancashire Business View reported that Barnfield had signed a contract with Kerakoll for the construction of a state-of-the-art 145,000sq ft manufacturing and distribution centre on the development.

Origin, a joint venture between HBD and Feldberg Capital, is on site with phase two of the project, valued at £20m, delivering three units totalling 107,000sq ft, two of which are already under offer.

Around 500,000sq ft of sustainable industrial and logistics space remains available at the development, which can accommodate a single unit up to 455,000sq ft.

Vivienne Clements, executive director at HBD, said: "The launch of APTUS marks a significant milestone for what is set to become one of Lancashire's premier industrial and logistics destinations.

“Bringing together occupiers, agents and partners on site gave us the opportunity to showcase the progress that has already been made and the scale of the opportunity available.

“With infrastructure complete, development underway and strong early interest from the market, we're seeing real momentum build at APTUS.

"We are pleased to be bringing forward another development that will support investment, jobs and economic growth across the region."

Tracy Clavell-Bate, head of development and acquisition at Barnfield Group, said: “The launch event was a great opportunity to showcase the progress being made on site and the quality of the development that is taking shape.

“As construction continues, we look forward to seeing the development support new jobs, investment and opportunities for businesses across the region."

The agents for APTUS are Newmark, Eckersley and Young and Co.