Frozen food distributor Oops! has agreed a 100,000 sq ft letting in Birkenhead, Merseyside. The new retail operation of frozen food supplier KPFF has already opened three stores and plans a further 30 this year alone. Oops! is relocating in Knowsley and will take the cold store facility at Valley Road on a new 10-year lease.
The site is being developed by Glenbrook and HIMOR. Following acquisition of the site last year from Appreciate Group PLC, the joint venture partnership has further developed its plans for the remainder of the nine-acre site. The project involves the refurbishment of an existing 45,000 sq ft industrial unit, which is due to be completed next month, and the creation of nine speculatively developed new units providing a total of 21,000 sq ft industrial accommodation starting from 1,600 sq ft upwards. Designed by locally based firm SD Architects, work on the smaller units is due to start in the second quarter of this year.
Noel Davis, CEO, Oops! said: “Over the last six months our business has grown by 300%. The new site on the Wirral will provide us with an superb base to service our stores in Bolton, St. Helens and Preston and provide us with the platform we need to roll out our own frozen food retail brand. ”
Speaking on behalf of the joint venture, Chris Lloyd, investment director at Glenbrook commented: “Securing a tenant for a significant proportion of the site shortly after the purchase demonstrates the strength of the offer at Valley Road. The availability of labour, its location and size of available accommodation will appeal to a range of occupiers.”
Mark Diaper, associate director at Legat Owen, joint agents for the scheme with LM6, concluded: “With part of the site already occupied, we are receiving a good level of enquiries for the refurbished unit which offering 9.5-metre eaves, an excellent power supply and a spacious yard. It is arguably the best refurbished facility of this size available in North Wirral.”
James Harrocks at Harrocks Commercial Property represented Oops! Legat Owen & LM6 represented Glenbrook.