The Menu and Arrival have both significantly expanded their operations in Bicester Oxfordshire, taking space at the now completed and fully let 1⁄2 million plus sq. ft Business Park developed by Albion Land and known as Axis Junction 9.
The companies have each taken two logistics and industrial buildings totalling 250,000 sq ft which were forward purchased by Mirastar, for a price over £30 million, in December 2020. Unit 13, 160,000 sq ft, was pre-let to Arrival ahead of PC in October 2021 and Unit 14, 90,000 sq ft, was pre-let to The Menu ahead of PC in December 2021.
The Menu is the brainchild of the internationally experienced and enigmatic Nigel Harris of Absolute Taste, and Jason Tanner of Premier Food Service Provider. Led by foodies and food developers at heart, The Menu Partners supply the best raw ingredients and added value, ready to eat or ready to heat quality food components. The company will source fresh fish, seasonal fruit & veg, ethically sourced meat, sauces and breads from artisanal suppliers; to clients’ specifications and deliver on one of The Menus multi-temp vehicles. As Nigel says – “one order, one invoice, one delivery…this is the future of food-service.”
Arrival is a world renowned and leading-edge organisation, reinventing both the design and production of electric vehicles for end-to-end sustainability, being innovative in both products and manufacturing processes.
Arrival was founded in 2015 with a mission ‘to make air clean’ by replacing all vehicles with affordable electric solutions. In 2021 and with significant financial resources and over 2,000 people later, Arrival is a leading force in the transition to electric vehicles, globally creating products that are zero-emission, desirable and more sustainable. Arrival advise that they are “a technology company, a product company, a supply chain company, an automotive company, a mobility company, a fintech company and a service company.”
Unit 14 totalling 90,000 sq. ft has been let to The Menu Unit 13, totalling 160,000 sq. ft has been let to Arrival.
Robert Brophy, Senior Asset Manager at Mirastar comments “The success of the scheme is testament to the need for good quality developments to meet occupational demand and drive employment forward for local and national businesses. We’re pleased to accommodate the local expansion of Arrival and The Menu into these Grade A facilities which offer great green credentials built to EPC A ratings and BREEAM Very Good”.
Chris White, Managing Director of White Commercial commented “This is another successful development by Albion Land in Bicester and completion of the scheme and its obvious attraction to occupiers further builds upon the economic growth of the region.
Arrival and The Menu are excellent internationally renowned businesses and we have been delighted to assist them in their occupational requirements and expansion”.