Gutter Centre going for growth with brand new warehouse business unit purchase

High-end metal rainwater and drainage specialist, Gutter Centre has acquired a newly constructed, 3,595 sq. ft. warehouse business unit at Oakwood Business Park, Sawtry, in a move that will see the firm relocate from premises on Fengate, Peterborough, where it has been based for 10 years.

Acting for our client at the Park in the transaction, we are able to confirm that the deal marks the family firm's first freehold premises as part of a growth and investment strategy for the business – which includes recruitment in 12-18 months' time.

Gutter Centre, owned by founders Geraint and Sharon Thomas, had been seeking bigger premises to expand the business and had seen other deals for new premises fall through. While not actively pursuing a new-build unit, the opportunity to invest in premises on the newest phase of Oakwood Business Park appealled to the company by also presenting opportunities to expand its customer base.

Director Geraint explains, “We have a solid regional customer base of a 70:30 ratio of high-end trade and private residential customers. While, initially, we hadn’t thought beyond premises in Peterborough - because it is such an established regional centre - the move to Sawtry gives us an opportunity refocus towards expanding our customer reach with a view to building the brand as a national supplier.

“Additionally, as a brand new business unit, we have a blank canvas when it comes to a fit-out to suit our expanding needs and not inheriting a legacy layout to overcome.”

Speaking about the deal, Matthew Hunt, who leads Eddisons' agency services at Oakwood Business Park, says: “It’s good to see established, independent family firms like Gutter Centre taking advantage of the opportunity to expand their customer reach. The business park is in a key transport location, particularly for occupiers where logistics and access to the A1(M) is vital.”

Gutter Centre is looking to begin trading from the Park early this summer following fit-out.

While the purchase price is not disclosed, Eddisons confirms that the unit was marketed with a guide price of £575,000.

For further information about remaining industrial business units to let at Oakwood Business Park, contact Matthew Hunt on 01480 451578 or at matthew.hunt@eddisons.com.