Global firm signs deal for Kettering warehouse park's biggest unit

A major firm which operates in 130 countries around the world has signed a deal to take on a warehouse in Kettering.

Danish logistics company Maersk, part of the A.P. Moller Group, has acquired the biggest warehouse at Crossfire 14 - the site formerly known as Cransley Park just off Junction 8 of the A14.

The firm is taking on the 101,134 sq ft unit to satisfy the increased demand for warehousing from its clients and it is expected to create many jobs, although an exact number has not been revealed. The unit has 182 parking spaces.

The deal means two of the site's five warehouses have now been taken on, after last year's move by commercial refrigeration specialist Capital Cooling to lease a 24,534 sq ft unit.

They are relocating their warehouse and logistical operations to Northamptonshire and retaining their Scotland HQ.

Two other units at Crossfire 14 are currently under offer, meaning 80 per cent of the site on the old Cransley iron works is now committed.

Richard Baker, director of property consultants Prop-Search who are acting as letting agents, said: “This letting delivers another major boost of inward investment and will undoubtedly provide significant economic growth in the region leading to further job creation.

“Indeed, the region continues to cement its position as a key strategic logistics location in the country and Crossfire 14 delivers with a gateway position where the A43 crosses the A14.”

Costa Coffee became the first business to open at the warehouse park last year, with a new car showroom also planned to open there.

A petrol station also features on the Crossfire 14 plans along with the development of Cransley Court, a range of small to medium-sized business units of between 2,500 sq ft and 16,250 sq ft.

Plans to build a business park there, which originally included a hotel, were first submitted in 2006 and later won planning approval from Kettering Council.

It stood empty for many years before work finally started and the 270,000 sq ft warehouse park, speculatively built by St Francis Group and the Richardson family, was officially declared open for business in 2019.

Last year the site was sold to a Tristan Capital Partners fund as part of a massive £68m deal.