SEGRO, has announced a £2bn commitment by 2033 to deliver next generation, net zero warehouses in the West Midlands as part of a strategic partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).
The industrial giant aims to deliver 13.5m sq ft of sustainable warehouse space across the West Midlands over the next two decades, focused on tech-enabled logistics facilities as well as purpose-built space for research and development and light manufacturing.
Up to 14,000 jobs are expected to be created by the programme, spanning a range of employment opportunities and industry sectors set to contribute to the economic growth and ‘levelling up’ for the region. In January, the West Midlands received £155m from a £2.1bn pot of levelling up funds.
SEGRO said it will prioritise brownfield sites for development, while supporting the WMCA on its programme of devolution, policy innovation and delivery.
The investment will be focused on a mix of warehousing types across the region. This includes the development of SEGRO Park Coventry – a 450-acre site that has planning permission for the construction of 3.7m sq ft of industrial buildings and warehouses.
David Sleath (pictured left), CEO of SEGRO, said: “There is a long-term shortage of modern, sustainable industrial employment space in the West Midlands, which is vital to enable the efficient movement of goods across the country, and to support high-tech research and development and manufacturing.
“By working closely with the West Midlands Combined Authority we can identify and unlock brownfield sites for development and deliver critical infrastructure that serves the whole of the UK, creating a diverse mix of local employment and supporting the creation of a more resilient economy across the country.”
Andy Street (pictured right), mayor of West Midlands, added: “[It is] testament to their level of belief in a bright future ahead for the West Midlands. It is exactly this kind of private sector investment – combined with the public sector creating the right conditions – that will ultimately drive our prosperity in the months and years ahead.
“SEGRO’s investment programme will help regenerate long neglected areas right across our region – building just the sort of modern premises that companies need to grow – creating high quality jobs for local people in the process. These next generation developments will also support our region’s #WM2041 net zero commitment.”
