Gymshark has taken the final unit at IM Properties’ Connexion campus on Blythe Valley Park (BVP) near Solihull, helping to futureproof the growing global fitness, apparel and accessories brand.
The 56,888 sq ft unit is Gymshark’s third letting at BVP since moving its global HQ to the site in 2018, and its second letting at Connexion, bringing the total space occupied to 130,000 sq ft on the scheme.
Paul Richardson, executive chairman at Gymshark said they want to be at BVP for the long term, and Gymshark’s success means they need room to grow to maintain their competitive edge and to accommodate their ambition to increase its employee headcount up to 650 employees.
“We’ve already established our Gymshark headquarters (GSHQ) and gym and innovation hub (GSLC) here at BVP. The layout of Blythe enables us to create a modern campus feel where people can move easily between buildings.
“We know that some of the world’s most innovative companies significantly invest in their headquarters to help their workforces perform. We are therefore benchmarking ourselves against them so we can create the room for employees to breathe and allow them to maintain creativity, inspire innovation and be the best they can.”
Richardson added: “The modern, industrial space at Connexion gives us the freedom to offer a creative working environment for our research and design team and helps to attract and retain some of world’s best talent as we expand our global presence.
“The final unit at Connexion was too good an opportunity to miss out on. We all love the setting at BVP, the green open spaces, the opportunity to get out and walk or run. It’s the ideal location for us and means we can remain in the region we’re committed to.”
IM Properties has let all five units totalling 210,000 sq ft at Connexion, underlining its successful strategy for investing in a high-quality working environment at BVP. Some of the region’s other most innovative companies have taken space at Connexion including Hofer Powertrain Products and Lounge Underwear.
Rachael Clarke, development manager at IM Properties added: “We couldn’t be more delighted to sign up Gymshark to our fifth and final unit at Connexion. It’s fantastic that we can help the company secure their long-term future in the region and expand their presence on the Park.”
Clarke added: “Gymshark’s letting reflects a growing number of occupiers who have innovation at their core and want industrial space and better working environments with a wider site focus on amenity and wellbeing.
“This is a break from convention for the industrial and logistics sector and an evolution we are looking to lead, taking our experiences at Connexion to another level with exciting new large-scale schemes coming forward such as Peddimore.”
BVP is a sustainable mixed-use scheme combining industrial, commercial, residential and leisure.