Pre-let announcement to develop 50,000 sq ft distribution hub for John Lewis in Uckfield, East Sussex

Deal constitutes the biggest industrial transaction in Uckfield for over 20 years.

Today, we announced details of a further deal with The John Lewis Partnership, to develop a 50,000 sq ft build to suit distribution hub in Uckfield, East Sussex.

The deal, which constitutes the biggest industrial transaction in the region for over 20 years was secured on a 3.82 acre serviced site on the Ashdown Business Park, Uckfield from the vendor, Summerthorne Estates Ltd.

We will commence construction in January 2016 and expect to deliver the distribution hub in Q4 2016.  The facility will create around a 100 jobs and will service John Lewis department stores in Kingston and Bluewater and John Lewis ‘at homes’ in Croydon, Chichester, Tunbridge Wells and Horsham.

The deal was signed in December after an acquisition process progressed by John Lewis who secured terms for the site. We are backed by Aviva who will own the completed development.

Vail Williams LLP acted for John Lewis and on our behalf in securing the site. Lawson Commercial acted for the vendor. Colliers CRE represented us in the forward funding.

Doug Kay, Head of CDHs at John Lewis, said: “I’m delighted that we will be opening a new customer delivery hub in Uckfield. This will allow us to successfully support our customers in the East Sussex catchment with the wide range of delivery, installation and assembly services we have on offer for our customers.”