B&M Arrival at Ellesmere Port marks one of the Largest Deals done in 2024

B&M Retail has signed a 10 year at on Link 744, a 674,265 sq facility at Ellesmere Port, which is owned by Cain International and managed by Firethorn Trust.

B&M, is a multinational general variety retailer listed on the London Stock Exchange and a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index. The company operates from 764 B&M stores across the UK together with 129 in France, located in both out-of-town retail parks, and town/shopping centres.

The deal significant milestone for the retailer’s logistics portfolio and one of the largest lease agreements in the U.K. logistics market this year.

Strategically located in Ellesmere Port, Link 674 offers excellent access to major transportation networks, including the Manchester Ship Canal, the Port of Liverpool, and key motorways. With a net-zero carbon construction, the facility has been designed with sustainability in mind, featuring energy-efficient designs, solar panels, rainwater harvesting systems, and the use of recycled materials.

Speaking about the letting, Jon Thorne, director at B8RE, joint agents for the scheme with CBRE and Moriarty & Co., commented: “This is a great deal to get over the line on a fantastic building and marks the largest letting in the North West this year. This transaction means we only have one remaining unit on the site, Link 114, which offers 114,692 sq ft high quality accommodation and is available for immediate occupation.”

Tim Brazier, Senior Vice President at Cain International, commented: “At Cain, our investment thesis is built on forming strong partnerships and developing high-quality spaces that support businesses aiming to establish or expand their presence. Securing B&M Retail as a tenant reinforces our belief in the strength and resilience of strategically located, thoughtfully designed assets tailored to meet the needs of innovative companies.”

James Sanders, Associate Director at Firethorn Trust added: “As asset managers, we’re committed to creating long-term value for our clients and their occupiers. Link Logistics Park is one of the largest and most prominent industrial sites in the North West, and the strong demand from top-tier tenants like B&M Retail is a testament to both the quality of the spaces we've developed, and the strength of our robust management strategies.”

A spokesperson for B&M Retail Limited said: “Link 674 at Ellesmere Port provides us with increased capacity to support our continued store portfolio growth in the U.K. This new facility will operate as an imports centre which will manage in-bound container flow and optimise the capacity of B&M UK’s five existing distribution centres which are handling ever-growing volumes”

B&M were represented by Savills and advised by Gordons LLP.