Barwood Capital accelerates at Central Park, Bristol

Barwood Capital has accelerated plans at its development site at Central Park, Bristol to include a new logistics warehouse, an 81 bed Travelodge hotel, petrol filling station and three drive thrus.

The 12-acre plot occupies a prime site adjacent to the new M49 junction (J1), which is currently under construction, and will form part of the new gateway to Central Park, the South West’s premier distribution location.

Barwood Capital has commenced the speculative development of ‘Junction One’, a 137,315 sq ft high spec logistics warehouse on 6.6 acres, with completion targeted for Q4 2019.

Barwood Capital and Travelodge have submitted a planning application to South Gloucestershire Council for an 81-bedroom hotel on 0.8 acres.

Euro Garages, with whom Barwood Capital has agreed to sell 4.5 acres, subject to planning, has simultaneously submitted a planning application for a petrol filling station and three drive thrus.

Andrew Barlow, director, Barwood Capital said: “We have been pushing forward with our plans to support Central Park’s occupiers and the wider Avonmouth Severnside Enterprise Area. The new warehouse will be delivered to a high specification, answering the strong demand from businesses who are looking to expand or locate within this key logistics hub. We are in current discussions with potential occupiers. The hotel, petrol filling station and drive thrus will offer a much-needed local amenity to the Park’s occupiers and their staff, in what is becoming one of the UK’s most sought-after logistics locations.”

The proposed new Travelodge will bring its total number of hotels in Bristol and Avonmouth to six adding to its already well-established hotels at: Severn View, Cribbs Causeway, Filton, Portishead, and two in Bristol’s city centre.

Steve Tyler, development manager, Travelodge added: “As part of our continued expansion plans, we identified Central Park as a location for which we expect high demand. With its excellent transport links, our new Central Park hotel is set to provide new bedrooms and jobs to the area.”

David Myers, UK development director, EG Group commented: “Central Park is a highly strategic location for our business fronting a new motorway junction. Sitting alongside a high-quality captive audience within the Park and providing the transient motorway customer with amenities ‘on the go’, is the foundation of our business. We are very excited for EG Group and our brand partners by the potential of this location.”

Barwood Capital acquired the site through its Barwood Property 2017 Fund from Delta Properties in July 2018 for the Barwood Property 2017 Fund. Junction One is owned in a 50:50 joint venture with British Airways Pension Trustees Limited.

The letting agents for Junction One are Knight Frank and Savills. British Ensign is the asset manager. PRC Architects has undertaken the design and planning consultancy.