Tungsten Properties has practically completed its new 331,000 sq ft industrial facility at Calder Park, Wakefield which was pre-let to Easy Bathrooms for its new HQ and national distribution centre.
The high specification unit, which was built by Winvic Construction, has achieved net zero carbon in construction and is rated BREEAM Very Good and EPC A.
The unit was pre-let by Cubico Ltd, trading as Easy Bathrooms, prior to construction which started in September 2021, and will be the business’ new HQ and national distribution centre. As part of its UK expansion strategy, Easy Bathrooms has invested more than £7.5 million in the new facilities’ fit out. Operations are due to start from the site in November 2022.
Since 2017, the brand has opened on average 20 showrooms per year and by 2023, it aims to have 175 showrooms across the country. Easy Bathrooms already employs more than 690 people and over the next two years, their expansion is forecast to create a further 100-150 new jobs.
Craig Waddington, who founded Easy Bathrooms in 2012, said: “Amid the pandemic and global shortages, we increased our stock holding by 100% to ensure we could fulfil orders and customer demand. However, that meant we also needed to increase our warehouse footprint. At one point we had stock across four warehouses and it was causing logistical headaches.
"We entered into conversations with Tungsten and agreed a deal that worked for both parties. It would have been easy for Tungsten to approach a huge brand but they wanted to support a growing company. I can't thank Jeff, Ashleigh and the whole team enough for that. Two years down the line, it's almost time for us to move into our new distribution home; providing us with the platform for our next stage of growth."
Ashleigh Hayes, associate development director, Tungsten Properties said: “We are delighted to hand over this bespoke HQ to Easy Bathrooms. Our thanks go to Winvic, our construction partner, and the whole project team for delivering such a great building. Easy Bathrooms’ investment into the high spec finish is a credit to them and they are certain to reap rewards in terms of maximising both day to day efficiency and low carbon operations to deliver for their customers and continue to create jobs. We wish them continued success.”
Tom Asher, director of industrial agency at Savills, Leeds added: “Savills initially presented this off-market opportunity to Tungsten Properties during Lockdown in 2020. After a number of months in the design phase, Tungsten purchased the site after achieving a planning consent in a short time frame from Wakefield Council. To secure Easy Bathrooms prior to starting on site is testament to the ongoing demand for high quality industrial space across the region. We wish Easy Bathrooms all the best in their new facility.”
Danny Nelson, head of industrial, distribution and logistics, Winvic added: “It has been a pleasure to work as one team with Tungsten Properties and Easy Bathrooms to meet their range of operational, commercial and sustainable requirements within this high specification distribution centre and headquarters, that has also been delivered as Net Zero Carbon in construction.”
Tom Asher and Matthew Ewin of Savills and Steve Moriarty of Moriarty & Co acted on behalf of Tungsten Properties; Peel L&P Business Parks represented themselves. Easy Bathrooms were unrepresented.