Warrington-based industrial and logistics property consultancy, B8 Real Estate, has completed two significant industrial property transactions in the North West.
In Runcorn it advised on the disposal of a 45-acre multi-let industrial open storage (IOS) site on the Percival Lane Estate.
Marking one of the largest transactions of its kind in the North West, the IOS site was acquired by an institutional investor following a highly competitive bidding process, with final pricing secured significantly above the £9.9m guide price.
Fully let to a diverse range of tenants in specialist industrial sectors, the development provides 21 secure compounds up to 9.2 acres, which are fenced with gated access and benefit from power and drainage.
In addition to the open storage, there is 50,066 sq ft of built industrial accommodation of varying specification across the site.
A service road runs throughout the estate, which is privately maintained with costs recovered through the service charge.
John Burrows, investment director of B8RE, said: “IOS is a rapidly growing sub-sector, driven by rising demand from logistics, EV operators, and other occupiers that need additional off-site space.
“With limited supply of quality sites, we’ve seen a sharp increase in rents across the North West, with prime sites reaching up to £130,000 per acre.
“This standout deal was due to its scale and the competitive nature of the sale, which drove pricing well above expectations – underlining the growing appeal of high quality IOS sites in strategic locations.”
B8RE acted on behalf of regeneration specialists Peel Waters, with the 45-acre Runcorn site previously sitting within Peel’s diverse Industrial and Logistics portfolio. Acre Capital Real Estate acted for the purchaser.
In Irlam, B8RE acted on behalf of ICG in the acquisition of a prime industrial investment that comprises a modern, 89,323 sq ft detached warehouse on a 4.79-acre freehold site within Northbank Industrial Park – one of the North West’s most established industrial locations.
Sold above the guide price by a local authority for £7.05m, the property benefits from a strong location, low passing rent, and significant reversionary potential with a rent review due in September 2026.
Northbank Industrial Park spans more than 250 acres and is home to major national and international companies, including Rehau, DPD, UPS, Tenmat and Biffa.
Situated nine miles south west of Manchester and eight miles east of Warrington, the site is strategically situated within the heart of the regional motorway network and is situated at the junction of Excalibur Way and Gilchrist Road with direct links to the A57, the estate’s principal arterial route.
Newmark acted for the vendor.
John added: “These deals reflect the ongoing appetite for prime, well-located, ESG-compliant industrial assets with strong fundamentals.
“The MLI market in the North West will continue to see sustained occupier demand and rental growth, while the IOS sector is likely to see further investment activity as it continues to mature.”
