Yorkshire law firm Gordons has advised online home electricals retailer AO on two new distribution and logistics hubs at Redhill Business Park in Stafford and G-Park in Stoke totalling 390,000 sq ft.
These latest deals mean the firm has successfully advised AO on three property negotiations in the last four months to secure a combined total of 500,000 sq ft of additional warehouse and distribution space for the company.
The first of the three deals saw Gordons support AO in obtaining the lease for a 110,000 sq ft distribution centre in Crewe, which will help create 250 jobs.
AO’s requirements for a 115,000 sq ft warehouse in Stafford and a 275,000 sq ft warehouse in Stoke are due to the continued shift from high street retail to online for home electricals products which started during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Founded in 2000 and with its UK head office in Bolton, AO has been a Gordons client since 2018. Gordons commercial property partner, Sarah Ratcliffe, and commercial property solicitor, Sophie McFeeley, advised on all three negotiations securing 10, three and five-year leases for the Crewe, Stafford and Stoke facilities respectively.
David Ashwell, managing director of AO Logistics, said: “We’ve been quick to adapt to meet increased customer demand and we’re investing in the future, adding more space and hundreds of new, quality jobs.
“We’ve proudly provided a lifeline to customers during Covid and a safe working environment for our people. Sarah and her team at Gordons were instrumental in enabling us to achieve these objectives thanks to their fast, practical advice and in-depth understanding of our business.”
Gordons has offices in Leeds and Bradford and employs 200 people. The firm’s other clients include retailers B&M, Heron Foods, Iceland Foods, Morrisons, Ocado and Wren Kitchens as well as construction and high-performance materials manufacturer Saint Gobain and international brewers Molson Coors.
Gordons’ Sarah Ratcliffe added: “AO continues to react at speed and adapt to meet the rising demand for online shopping. It has been a pleasure to help the company with the expansion of its logistics services and play our part in its continued rapid growth in the online retail market.”
