Online retailer takes pre-let at SEGRO’s East Midlands Gateway

While the name of the retailer has yet to be released, the pre-let will include double-deck parking for 200 electric vans. At present no other online retailer bar Amazon uses double decking for electric vans. A spokesperson from Amazon said: “We don’t comment on rumour and speculation relating to new developments.”

The retailer has agreed a 15-year lease for the facility, which will be built on a 21-acre site and be used as a distribution hub.

It will be constructed to achieve BREEAM ‘Excellent’ and will include roof-mounted photovoltaic panels and LED lighting. The double-level vehicle parking areas will have the ability to provide electrical charging to all 200 van parking spaces on site.

SEGRO has been able to provide an accelerated construction programme to enable the customer to expand its operations as quickly as possible. The accelerated programme will enable SEGRO to deliver the space to the customer in just over five months, rather than the nine months a standard build programme would take for a building of this size. Furthermore, the customer will have access to be able to begin its internal fit out after just 14 weeks.

The pre-let illustrates the developer’s ‘Responsible SEGRO’ commitment – a framework launched in February, which is anchored on three priority areas; championing low-carbon growth, investing in local communities and nurturing talent.

Practical completion of the new unit is anticipated in August 2021.

Joint letting agents on the site are Savills, Burbage Realty and CBRE.