Leicester industrial units sold to trade body in undisclosed deal

Derbyshire-based Clowes Developments has successfully completed the sale of industrial units totalling 8,400 sq ft in Kibworth, Leicestershire for an undisclosed sum.

New tenant, the UK Material Handling Association, is the official trade body representing forklift truck manufacturers, suppliers, dealers, and end users across the UK’s material handling industry.

The newly acquired semi-detached unit on Beauchamp Business Park, around 10 miles south-east of Leicester, will serve as the organisation’s operational base for UKMHA and its subsidiary CFTS Ltd.

Construction of the first phase of the Beauchamp Business Park development began in September 2023, with approval for a second phase of the scheme granted in December 2023.

Robert Fisher of UK Material Handling Association said: “We are delighted to have secured what will become the new home for UKMHA and our subsidiary, CFTS.

“This move not only provides the space to grow and enhance our training offer, but also positions us to innovate, collaborate, and better serve the evolving needs of our members.”

Ashbourne property group Clowes recorded turnover of £154.7m, and operating profit of £23m, for the financial year 2023-24.

The group holds over 3,000 acres of land and 15,000 residential plots in 130 development sites across the country, including more than 50 office and business parks and several larger mixed-use sites.

Jack Brown of TDB Real Estate, one of the joint agents on the scheme, added: “We’re delighted to have completed another successful sale at Beauchamp Business Park, this time to a well-established organisation within the material handling sector.

“This deal reinforces the continued demand we’re seeing for high-quality freehold units from both local and regional occupiers looking to invest in their own premises.”