St. Modwen brings energy giant E.ON to Stoke South site as scheme completes

From L-R: Stuart Murray of St. Modwen, Robert Rae of Avison Young, Daniel Jellyman Deputy Leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Ed Kennerley of Knight Frank, Steve Smith of St. Modwen, and Richard Mounsey of Mounsey Chartered Surveyors.

St. Modwen Industrial & Logistics has agreed terms with three new occupiers to pre-let more than 80,000 sq ft at its 400-acre mixed-use development in Stoke-on-Trent upon project completion.

The developer has delivered five new speculative industrial and logistics warehouses totalling 183,000 sq ft at St. Modwen Park Stoke South, with units of 25,000 sq ft and 75,000 also available for immediate occupation.

One of the UK’s top energy suppliers, E.ON, has signed a 10-year lease to occupy 37,100 sq ft of high-quality industrial and logistics space at the scheme. Meanwhile, St. Modwen has also agreed terms on a 22,000 sq ft unit with Planova UK Ltd – a global specialist in shop fittings and shelving systems.

A third letting to contract manufacturer and precision components supplier Neida Products Engineering Ltd has also been signed, securing a further 22,000 sq ft unit on a 15-year lease.

Due to the success of this scheme, the developer has submitted a planning application for an additional three-unit phase at St. Modwen Park Stoke South, with units of 53,000, 77,000, and 94,000 sq ft to be delivered in 2021 pending planning consent.

St. Modwen Park Stoke South is already home to occupiers including Screwfix, Autoneum and Pets at Home, and is strategically located near junctions 15 (South) & 16 (North) of the M6, serving both Stoke-on-Trent and Newcastle-under-Lyme.

Stuart Murray, Development Director at St. Modwen Industrial & Logistics, said: “We’ve shown a continued confidence and commitment to the region with our investments across Staffordshire and our latest delivery has only reinforced the strength of the industrial and logistics market in the area. It is great to see three well-renowned brands choose Stoke-on-Trent; St. Modwen is undeniably bringing a wealth of opportunities to the area.”

Cllr Daniel Jellyman, deputy leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, and cabinet member for infrastructure, regeneration and heritage, added: “This is great news for Stoke-on-Trent and I think it sends out a really positive message to businesses, developers and investors that we are emerging from the pandemic in a strong position. It’s significant that a regeneration specialist like St. Modwen continues to invest in Stoke-on-Trent and shows that we are open for business.

“We’re building on this continued investment by the private sector ourselves with major investments in the city’s transport infrastructure, which will boost the economy, revolutionise the way people get around and create a better-connected city for years to come.”

Joint marketing agents for the scheme are Knight Frank, Mounsey Chartered Surveyors and Avison Young.

Edward Kennerley, Associate at Knight Frank, added: “This is unquestionably one of Staffordshire’s key employment hubs, with St. Modwen having delivered more than 2.3 million sq ft of development at this site to date. The impact of the pandemic hasn’t wavered the levels of interest in these high-quality, speculative units either – with three high-profile occupiers choosing this scheme ahead of the competition. It’s safe to say this has already proven a popular scheme.”