Sworder Belcher Holt - Industrial Development - East Midlands, Junction 24 M1

Date: 08 Aug 2000

Fiege Merlin, part of the German-based Fiege Group, who specialise in planned logistics solutions throughout Europe, in a unique partnership with Wilson Bowden Developments Limited have confirmed their plans to develop their first Mega-Center in the UK. The new 106,838 sqm (1,150,000 sqft) rail-linked distribution centre will be developed simultaneously with the first phase of infrastructure works, opening up the new East Midlands Distribution Centre at Junction 24 of the M1 in Leicestershire. With excellent rail links and close proximity to the East Midlands Airport, additionally the East Midlands Distribution Centre, provides direct rail access to Continental Europe via the East Coast Rail Line and the Channel Tunnel.

The East Midlands Distribution centre forms a substantial part of the re-development of the 200 hectare closed, demolished and redundant Castle Donington Power Station, which was de-commissioned in 1998.

The project commences the revitalisation of the area and will in itself ultimately provide some 850 new jobs.

The building will occupy a 25.5 hectare (60 acre) site, will be approximately 1km in length and will comprise a state-of-the-art rail served distribution centre with dedicated rail sidings, with the design replicating Fiege's other Mega-Centers, strategically situated throughout Europe.

Steve Barter, Managing Director of Fiege Merlin, confirmed:

"This announcement confirms our commitment as one of the leading providers of planned logistic solutions within Europe and is an integral part of our UK expansion strategy.

The East Midlands Distribution Centre provides a first class location by virtue of it's central location and rail head capabilities, critical for the provision of logistics services to our clients.

It was also an important consideration for us to work in partnership with a major developer, skilled at developing a facility of this nature and, through the months of negotiation, we have been able to create a unique partnership that enables us to concentrate on our business activities within the UK in the knowledge that the facility is being developed via a team with specialist knowledge."

Wilson Bowden Developments will commence work on site later this year, enabling the first phase of the development to open in the Summer of 2001.

Related website: Sworder Belcher Holt

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