John Lewis completes latest warehouse letting in Southampton

John Lewis has completed on the pre-let of Unit 3 at South Central, Southampton, at £9 per sq ft, on a 15-year lease, from Peel Logistics and Rockspring.

The 46,353 sq ft build-to-suit warehouse facility within South Central will enable John Lewis to deliver a new customer delivery hub service, with additional capacity to service Southampton and the wider south coast region.

This facility will replace the retailer’s existing warehouse provision, located nearby in Southampton city centre, with the full relocation expected to be completed by April 2019.

James Haestier, director of industrial and logistics at Colliers International, who advised John Lewis, said: “Southampton’s geographic location, infrastructure and industrial heritage makes the city an incredibly desirable place for retailers and manufacturers to position their warehouse and logistics facilities.

“However, there is a distinct lack of industrial space. At South Central, John Lewis has successfully collaborated with Peel Logistics to strategically build a facility to its exact needs and design which has also been delivered on time and to specification.”

South Central is a new 205,935 sq ft industrial warehouse development comprising three units that were constructed in July 2018. It is adjacent to J3 of the M27/M271 motorways and within close proximity to Southampton Port.

Colliers International advised John Lewis. Lambert Smith Hampton and JLL advised Peel Logistics and Rockspring.

Adrian Whitfield, director of industrial and logistics at Lambert Smith Hampton’s South Coast offices, who advised Peel Logistics, concluded: “We were delighted such a household name as John Lewis chose South Central for their relocation.

“[We] look forward to securing tenants for the remaining detached units of 40,000 sq ft and 117,000 sq ft which each benefit from high eaves and a secure yard.”