Seafood producer set to rent more factory space

Apr 9 2008 by Graeme King, The Journal

THE Cumbrian Seafoods factory in Seaham, County Durham is to more than double in size after owner Cumbrian Holdings agreed to rent a further 135,000sq ft of space on the Foxcover Distribution Park.

The company arrived in the North East last spring, moving part of its operations from its home base in Maryport, Cumbria, into a 126,000sq ft unit, creating dozens of jobs.

The company’s expansion plans reflect the progress made at Grantside’s Foxcover scheme in the past year, with the site now boasting tenants including Robertson’s Timber Kit, Yearsley and ISL cold storage.

The success of the business park has come about alongside extensive investment in the local road infrastructure to link Foxcover to the A19, and the Sunderland road network, as well as the development of other schemes in the Seaham area such as Spectrum Business Park and the Byron Place Shopping Centre.

The new lease for Cumbrian Seafoods has been agreed at a headline rent of £4.75. Steve Davis, managing director of Grantside, said: “Foxcover’s prime location initially attracted Cumbrian Holdings as it offers unrivalled transport links with close proximity to the A19 and the newly constructed port at Seaham.”

The deal with Cumbrian Seafoods was negotiated by King Sturge, who also let the company’s initial unit last year. The firm is joint agent for Foxcover with GVA Lamb & Edge.

Simon Hill, industrial agency partner at King Sturge said: “The extensive redevelopment of Seaham town centre and excellent road links has proved advantageous in the lettings at Foxcover.”

The latest letting in Seaham comes as new research from Lambert Smith Hampton says it is mainly retailers who are driving growth in the industrial and distribution market, as the sector looks for new warehouse space for goods from the Far East.

Jonathan Cooper of LSH’s Newcastle office said: “The trend for sales to owner occupiers continues with a number of developers and landlords actively marketing premises both for sale and to let. This market activity has seen notable growth in capital values, in part driven by this strong demand, but also influenced by rising build costs.”