British interiors business The Cotswold Company has signed a deal for a new distribution centre in Lichfield as part of its plans to create 'at least' 50 new jobs this year.
The company has taken a 10-year lease on the new, speculatively built 139,202 sq ft Axis 38 unit at Fradley Park.
The deal comes as the furniture and homewares retailer expands its operations to meet growing customer demand which has been driven by the shift to online retail.
The new distribution centre will allow The Cotswold Company to fulfil orders more quickly and expand its existing product range. It will also enable the firm to create at least 50 new jobs this year across its distribution operations.
The company is aiming to be up and running at its new Fradley Park base by July 2022. It will join other occupiers at the site including DHL, Swish Faurecia, Screwfix, Tesco and ASOS.
Richard Bean, portfolio director for Evans Property Group - which has developed more than two million sq ft of space at Fradley Park to date - said: "We are pleased to confirm the letting at Fradley Park to The Cotswold Company. The site is well-established as a first-class location for distribution, and we are proud to be part of its continual development and expansion.
"The speed of the take-up demonstrates the current demand for ready-to-go industrial and warehousing accommodation of this size and caliber within Lichfield."
Alan Joseph, operations director for The Cotswold Company, said: "We are delighted to be opening a new distribution centre to help meet the demand for The Cotswold Company products.
"Though we have always stayed focussed on making promises we can keep, we have not been immune to the supply chain issues many retailers have faced in the last two years. By expanding our inventory levels we can ensure we deliver for our customers as quickly as possible.
"This new state-of-the-art facility provides the perfect platform for our continued expansion and operating as much of our logistics in-house as possible allows us to maintain the high standards our customers expect. "
David Willmer, principal at property consultancy Avison Young which oversaw the deal, added: "The Fradley Park development is a well-established market leading property and it's been great to be involved in securing a letting prior to the practical completion of the unit.
"The high level of occupier interest and subsequent deal endorses the commitment by Evans Property Group to continue to build and improve to a high standard this strategically located development."
