Shortage of ‘big sheds’ as market defies fears
ROPE access specialist Access North Structures, based at Armitage Bridge, has appointed Richard Knight (pictured) as technical project manager to oversee its growing portfolio of assignments across the UK.
Richard joins the team of height professionals in the newly-created role with 13 years’ industry experience, having been selfemployed as an industrial rope access sub-contractor for more than 10 years. He is qualified at the highest grade for the industry with IRATA Level 3 certification.
His duties will include building client relationships and providing job quotations alongside project and team management.
Access North Structures works on some of the UK’s most spectacular structures.
Commenting on the appointment, managing director Berenice Northcott said: “Richard has worked on a huge array of projects worldwide – from maintaining indoor rollercoasters in Dubai to steel erecting on the Shard in London, so his technical know-how, vast on-site experience and charisma makes him an excellent fit.
“As we set our sights on expanding into more challenging areas, Richard’s past expertise in working on demanding projects – such as oil rigs and petrochemical plants – will be invaluable for our wider project planning and management.”
Prime rental levels for mid-sized properties ranging from 30,000 to 60,000sq ft are expected to rise in the near future – with newly-completed and design & build options now being marketed at about £5.95 to £6.25 per sq ft.
Iain McPhail, partner with Knight Frank’s industrial property team in Leeds, said: “Occupier demand across the region remains steady with take-up of industrial and warehouse units of more than 50,000sq ft across West Yorkshire totalling over 700,000sq ft in the first half of 2017 spanning six transactions.
“This represents more than double the level of take-up compared with the last six months of 2016.”
The report said high-quality existing and new build industrial stock in the mid-size range remained in short supply.
Said Mr McPhail: “Knight Frank brokered the largest letting of the year so far in West Yorkshire involving the 190,000sq ft Wakefield Eurohub building, which was let to Allied Glass in January.
“Consequently, there is now a shortage of grade A ‘Big Sheds’ in West Yorkshire available.
“There are only a small handful of existing new and modern second hand warehouse units situated in the Normanton/Castleford area off junction 31 of the M62, including the 111,000sq ft Gilcar 31 unit on Wakefield Europort and the recently refurbished Normanton 108 building which extends to 108,000sq ft and is situated within the Normanton Industrial Estate.
“The lack of stock has contributed to an increase in design and build requirements as companies struggle to identify existing units that can accommodate their exact needs.
“The development sites within the Leeds City Region Enterprise Zone in the Aire Valley such as Muse Developments’ Logic Leeds scheme are well-placed to accommodate this demand.”