Intergreen site on market as Tesco contract withers
FLOWER BUSINESS LOOKING TO CHANGE ITS LOCATION
AMAJOR question mark hangs over the future of a large East Yorkshire employer after the huge facility it operates from was put on the market. Supermarket-supplying flower specialist Intergreen is leaving its 140,000 sq ft East Yorkshire site, having opted not to renew the lease.
The massive warehouse and logistics base off the A63 at Newport is now advertised as becoming available in the new year.
It follows the loss of a huge Tesco contract.
The UK’S leading supermarket slimmed down its supplier base, cutting the near £20m turnover business, part of the Dutch Flower Group, from the list.
Revealed in December, the contract is understood to have just come to an end, leading to the move.
Tesco work was reportedly 70 per cent of the company’s UK interests, with the Newport plant set up to specifically serve it, with other operations in Spalding, Lincolnshire.
Together they employed more than 300 people.
Located on Dianthus Business Park, it sits alongside sister company JZ Flowers International, a £107m turnover operation, which produces millions of flower stems a week, employing 1,500 at peak times, supplying a range of retailers.
The company and parent company has declined to comment on the situation.
Hull commercial property agency Garness Jones has, however, been appointed to market the 11-year-old facility.
It is described as a “rare, ready-made, and exceptional opportunity” for businesses in either the horticulture or food industry.
David Garness, managing director, said: “Rarely do you find a property of this exceptional quality coming onto the market where, for the right kind of business, it could provide a ready-made fit to move into quickly,” he said.
“A major selling point is its location at the intersection of the M62 and A63, providing direct links to the Humber ports and motorway networks, which is again ideal for a business operating in the horticulture and food sectors and needing good transport links.
“If a client came to us and asked us to find a modern site like this, boasting all the facilities it has in terms of both business operation and staff welfare, it would often be a very difficult task. It is a rare opportunity.”
The site, which is heated by renewable energy, could be divided up. It features 22 dock level access doors for delivery and distribution, a central processing facility and partitioned chilled areas for goods coming in and out.
The first floor includes extensive modern offices with a large boardroom and meeting room, as well as canteen, gym and locker rooms.
It remains to be seen whether Intergreen will consolidate with JZ, where expansion plans have been passed, or with the Lincolnshire operation, or explore other options.
Rarely do you find a property of this exceptional qualitycoming to the market where, for the right kind of business, it could provide a readymadefit to move into quickly David Garness, Garness Jones