John Lewis and Evander Properties have signed the biggest deal in Uckfield, East Sussex for over 20 years.
Logistics development specialist Evander Properties has secured a 3.82 acre serviced site on the Ashdown Business Park, Uckfield from the vendor, Summerthorne Estates Ltd.
Leading department store retailer John Lewis has entered into an agreement for lease for a 50,000 sq ft distribution customer delivery hub (CDH), which will create in the region of 60 new jobs. The hub will complement existing CDHs in the region and will service John Lewis department stores in Kingston and Bluewater and John Lewis ‘at homes’ in Croydon, Chichester, Tunbridge Wells and Horsham.
Vail Williams LLP acted for John Lewis and Evander Properties. Lawson Commercial acted for the vendor.
Doug Kay, Head of CDHs at John Lewis, said: “I’m delighted that we will be opening a new customer delivery hub in Uckfield. This will allow us to successfully support our customers in the East Sussex catchment with the wide range of delivery, installation and assembly services we have on offer for our customers.”
Nusrat Ghani, Wealden MP, said: “John Lewis is a fantastic household name, and I’m not at all surprised that it has chosen Wealden as the home for its new distribution hub. The creation of 60 new jobs is a massive boost, and John Lewis’ decision will hopefully encourage more national and international businesses to move to Uckfield and the surrounding area.”
“John Lewis’s decision is a very welcome boost for employment in the north of Wealden and the commitment of this major household name underlines that Wealden continues to be very much open for business,” said Councillor Roy Galley, Cabinet member for Economic Development at Wealden District Council. “The project has benefited from the early discussions between the Partnership and Wealden’s planners which have helped ensure the proposals are right for the area.”
Andrew Osborne, Vail Williams Partner, said: “Securing this significant site was a crucial step in bringing 60 new jobs to the area. It is a fantastic result for the people of Uckfield, the local economy and John Lewis as a company. The challenge was to find a site with planning, in the right location, at the right price. We used our local knowledge and expertise to deliver the property solution John Lewis needed.”
Chris Lawson of Lawson Commercial, said: “Delighted to welcome John Lewis to Ashdown Business Park who will be the first occupier of this exciting new business park being created on the outskirts of Uckfield. It is tremendous news for the town.”
Evander will commence construction in January 2016 and is expected to deliver the retailer’s distribution hub in the autumn of that year.
