Record price secured for Yorkshire warehouse on the site of civil war battleground

A 15-year-old warehouse property in West Yorkshire, which sits on the site of a civil war battleground, has been sold for a record-breaking price.

Unit 4A, comprising 38,000 sq. ft at Adwalton Moor Business Park in Drighlington, has been sold for £2.2m to Prestigious Textiles by Friends Life Ltd.

The Leeds office of global property consultancy Knight Frank has advised on the deal.

Nick Prescott, specialist in industrial property with Knight Frank, who advised Friends Life Ltd, commented: “This was a very significant deal, primarily because a record price was attained for a 15-year-old industrial property in Yorkshire.

“This is partly due to the lack of supply of modern warehousing, but also because this facility had been well maintained by the previous occupier and doesn’t represent its age.

“Portal frame warehouse design hasn’t really changed since it was built; as such it is still perceived to sit within the prime market classification. Moreover, it is advantageously located on the west side of Leeds, close to the popular Junction 27 on the M62 where healthy levels of occupier demand currently exist.”

A spokesman on behalf of Friends Life Ltd, commented: “We were delighted with the outcome of this disposal. Knight Frank’s industrial agency team managed to secure a purchaser for the building before the outgoing tenant had formally vacated.

“Nick Prescott was impressive throughout the negotiation process which resulted in a price that reflected the improving market conditions.”

The warehouse is located where the Battle of Adwalton Moor was fought between the Roundheads and the Royalists in 1643. The Royalists won, leaving Hull as the only Parliamentarian stronghold left in Yorkshire.

Nick Prescott added: “Adwalton has a proud history and we are delighted that its future is looking equally bright. The record price achieved for Unit 4A is a ringing endorsement of our award-winning industrial agency team and a sign that the Yorkshire industrial property market is really picking up after the lean years of the recession.”