After recently completing the purchase of the former Georga Pacific site on South Lancs Industrial Estate, Barwood and Legal & General Property have agreed the first pre-let on the 35 acre site known as M6 Epic.

Dole Fresh UK have agreed terms to take a new bespoke banana ripening facility of approximately 61,000 sq ft on a new 20 year lease. Construction of the new facility has recently started on site with completion due in June 2014. In addition a detailed planning consent is now in place for up to 515,000 sq ft with Barwood in advanced discussions with several other occupiers for large scale facilities.

Representing Barwood/Legal & General, Steve Johnson of B8 Real Estate said:

“We are extremely delighted to have been able to secure the first tenant on the scheme within such a short space of time which we believe was down to providing Dole Fresh with certainty over delivery timescale and by having detailed planning, infrastructure and funding in place.

“This certainty is proving attractive to other occupiers on the remaining 32 acres where we can accommodate bespoke facilities from 50,000 sq ft upwards.”

Retained agents on the scheme are B8 Real Estate, Moriarty & Co and CBRE. Doherty Baines represented Dole Fresh.