50,000 sq ft Barnsley warehouse snapped up in sweet deal with Leeds confectioner

Soft drink and confectionery supplier Morris & Son Ltd has acquired a 52,413 sq ft warehouse in Barnsley.

The Leeds-based stockist secured the site from landlords Columbia Threadneedle Investments. Morris & Son currently operates out of several buildings in Leeds, having taken a 10-year lease on the purpose-built distribution centre at Silkstone Court in Barnsley.

The deal was brokered by Knight Frank in Sheffield and Leeds-based Gent Visick.

The move by the company - which was acquired by Andy Needham in 2003 and employs 60 people - aims to reinforce Morris & Son’s growth plans with the relocation allowing improved warehouse and distribution efficiencies.

Andy Needham, Morris & Son’s owner and chief executive, said: “After struggling to get a deal away on suitable premises in the Leeds area we had to cast our net further afield.

“Silkstone Court is a modern warehousing facility on a self-contained secure site literally 60 seconds off Junction 37 on the M1.

“We needed additional storage capacity and the 11m eaves gives us that. We have plans to consolidate another of my businesses on the same site and to develop the range of products we sell substantially.”

Andy added: “I am very pleased that all of our current staff have embraced the move and will be relocating with us. We will be retaining a small presence in Leeds and have further plans for improved systems and also additional recruitment in due course.

“We expect to complete the fit out and be in a position to move sometime in October.”

The surrounding area of Dodworth Business Park is an established commercial location home to occupiers including Magna Colours and Koyo Bearings.

Morris & Son specialises in wholesaling clearance food, drink and household products, some of which are short dated or come from excess stock from the original manufacturer.

Rebecca Schofield, partner and head of industrial at Knight Frank in Sheffield, concluded: “The letting to Morris & Son represents the strength of the market in the region, reinforced by the position of the unit at J37 M1 which allows occupiers to take advantage of the access to the M1 and access to both South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and beyond.”

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