City deals round-up

The lease of a 500,000-plus sq ft logistics facility heads the list of deals done in Derby in recent weeks.

Logicor has agreed a lease with a “long-standing pan-European customer” at Derby 507, its newly completed 508,003 sq ft logistics facility at Infinity Park Derby.

Derby 507 is part of Logicor’s drive to grow in key markets, like the East Midlands, that continue to experience strong demand from occupiers, specifically those in supply chain and distribution.

Tom Blakely, director of asset management (UK) at Logicor, said: “The leasing of Derby 507 is testament to occupier demand for large, specialist distribution centres, located in key logistics hotspots.

“We are delighted to continue supporting our customers by providing modern, highly-sustainable warehouses.”

In the city centre, FHP Property Consultants has completed a brace of deals involving vacant units.

It has successfully let 6a Sadler Gate, in the city’s Cathedral Quarter, to a local charity.

The premises comprise first and second floors with a separate entranceway from Sadler Gate. 

Harry Gamble, from FHP, said: “After a great deal of interest from a number of uses, it was great to see that we could help a local charity and let them a space on Sadler Gate. 

“Sadler Gate has seen a real push over the last 12 months with the property owners coming together to make the street a more vibrant location by painting their buildings different colours and holding street events.

FHP has let 24-26 East Street to Continue Arcades, which will bring its unique “pay once play all day” gaming concept to the city centre. 

The business offers visitors unlimited access to a wide range of retro-modern arcade games creating a great environment for all ages.

Corbin Archer, from FHP, said: “I am delighted to welcome Continue Arcades to East Street. 

“Their entertainment concept represents an excellent addition to the scheme and I look forward to seeing it finished.”

Meanwhile, Derbion is welcoming three new additions to its shopping centre.

They are self-serve frozen yoghurt experience YoSwirl, popular coffeehouse Black Sheep Coffee and health and beauty retailer Bodycare.

Bodycare is reopening in its former location. Its refreshed 5,188 sq ft store will be one of the first locations in the UK to boast its new concept store design.

The announcements follow the recent opening of British lifestyle clothing brand FatFace, and the news that Bath & Body works will join Derbion in the coming months, alongside Primark’s arrival in 2027.

Beth McDonald, managing director at Derbion, said: “We’re delighted that Bodycare is set to re-join the centre this summer, and we’re incredibly proud to have been selected as one of the first stores to introduce the brand’s new concept.

“The return of Bodycare highlights the strength of our ongoing leasing strategy, which continues to attract and retain big-name brands that draw shoppers from all over the region.”

Finally, a new independent taproom has officially opened in the city centre, supported by a grant from Derby City Council.

The Tannery, in Sadler Gate, is operated by Derbyshire-based Ashover Brew Co and is based in a previously empty commercial site.

Ashover Brew Co is the latest business to benefit from the city council’s Vacant to Vibrant scheme.

A £15,000 renovation grant supported the project to bring a previously empty Cathedral Quarter unit back into active use.

The Vacant to Vibrant scheme focuses on bringing empty shop units in the Cathedral Quarter back into use and is a funded by a pot of £500,000 from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) delivered through the East Midlands Combined County Authority (BH).

Councillor Gurkiran Kaur, the city council’s cabinet member for city centre, culture and tourism, said: “The successful opening of The Tannery demonstrates exactly what can be achieved when we invest in local entrepreneurs.”