News & Media

WILSON Bowden Developments today announces a major design and build project at its Kingsway development in Rochdale.

The commercial arm of Barratt Developments PLC will build a 616,000 sq ft warehouse with 250,000 sq ft of mezzanine storage space for High Street retailer JD Sports.

The distribution centre - at Rochdale’s Kingsway Business Park - is one of the largest commercial property projects in the North West in the last decade.

JD Sports and Wilson Bowden have simultaneously completed the forward funding of the site with Canada Life .

Nick Richardson, Managing Director of Wilson Bowden Developments, said: “We are pleased to have reached agreement to deliver this exciting scheme for JD Sports.”

“Not only is this a great step forward in the development of this scheme in a difficult market, but it is also provides evidence of confidence returning to the High Street, which is important to our town centre regeneration programme.”

Mark Clare, Chief Executive of Barratt Developments PLC, said: “This is a major step forward for our experienced team at Wilson Bowden Developments which has shown its expertise at delivering significant projects over a number of years and in all markets.”

“Wilson Bowden has a wider portfolio which includes town centre retail schemes and city centre office schemes. We expect them to continue to realise value from these opportunities as the market improves.”

The development, which was given planning permission in January 2009, will start on site in June and is due for completion in February 2011.”

P3 acted for Wilson Bowden , Cushman and Wakefield acted for JD Sports and Gerald Eve acted for Canada Life .

At 420 acres, Kingsway Business Park is half the size of Manchester city centre. Located next to Junction 21 of the M62, the park offers a strategic location for national and international firms.

NOTES TO EDITORS

• For further information please contact Dan Bridgett, Head of External Affairs at Barratt Developments PLC, on +44 207 299 4873 or +44 7721 395501 or dan.bridgett@barrattplc.co.uk
• Wilson Bowden Developments is part of Barratt Developments PLC. Its nationwide product portfolio includes a wide range of commercial property, including offices, retail (both in town and out of town), leisure, industrial and distribution.
• Images of a selection of developments are available to the media at www.barrattdevelopments.co.uk/media/photographs/barrattgroup.