Member Article

Omega Warrington funding deal for The Hut’s hub

Omega Warrington Limited (OWL), a Miller Developments joint venture partnership, has signed an agreement with LondonMetric Property Plc (LondonMetric) to forward-fund a new 690,000 sq ft retail logistics and manufacturing centre for The Hut Group at Omega, at junction 8 of the M62 in Warrington.

The £47.5 million deal follows the securing, by OWL, of Reserved Matters planning consent – which converted outline consent to detailed - for the project.

The Hut Group is a specialist on-line retailer and brand owner, selling high repeat purchase goods direct to consumers across the Health and Beauty sectors.

With the funding now in place, The Hut Group has formally signed to become Omega South’s second occupier along with ASDA, providing hundreds more jobs on site. Construction of the development will begin this month with completion expected in autumn 2015.

The Hut Group’s new premises on the 41 acre plot will support a mixture of functions including logistics, manufacturing and offices plus a further 150,000 sq ft of additional expansion land. The new facility will bring over 2,000 jobs to Omega South.

Andrew Sutherland, joint MD for Miller Developments, said: “This transaction really puts Warrington on the map and demonstrates the willingness of investors to participate in the North West’s growing logistics and manufacturing sector.

“We welcome The Hut to our ever-growing family of successful businesses on site and continue to work hard with our partners to maintain the momentum generated for the maximum benefit of local people.”

The new premises are being built to consolidate The Hut’s four existing UK distribution units. The facility will be used to satisfy both its domestic and rapidly growing international operations.

Deborah McLaughlin, the HCA’s Executive Director for the North West, said: “Securing The Hut Group at Omega is fantastic news for Warrington and the wider region.

“We have been transforming Omega into a major high quality employment park over the last few years, and this latest success brings yet another significant employer into the area.”

The Hut’s site, which now has detailed planning consent, is located within ‘Zone 7’ of Omega South, which was granted ‘outline’ planning consent in May 2014 for 2.1 milion sq ft of logistics and manufacturing space, a new access road and a 35 acre ‘Green Heart’ habitat creation area.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .