Commercial property specialist Colliers International’s South West industrial & logistics team has been expanded in response to rising demand for warehouses.
Over the past six months the Bristol-based team has been involved in a number of major deals including representing German supermarket group Lidl in its purchase of 33 acres at Avonmouth for a 600,000 sq ft regional distribution centre, and negotiating the letting of a 250,000 sq ft distribution warehouse in Portbury to leading food wholesaler Brakes Bros on a 30-year lease, as well as a number of other smaller deals.
The arrival of Ben Cronan, who has joined from UWE, means the team is now four strong.
Head of Colliers’ Bristol office Tim Davies, who also leads the industrial & logistics team, said: “Demand for industrial/warehouse units has soared in recent months and we are delighted to welcome Ben to the team at such a busy time.
“We are looking forward to involving him in a range of commercial property work in a real business environment.
“The office has gained a reputation for giving opportunities to students undertaking property-related degrees at the UWE. Earlier this year former UWE student Danielle Hatton, who joined the staff after initially doing a placement in industrial & logistics, was named Student of the Year by the Bristol Property Agents’ Association.”
Tom Watkins of the industrial & logistics team added: “It will be great to have an extra pair of hands in the team, who can help with our acquisition work. With the shortage of stock generally across the South West and South Wales, we have to spend more time identifying suitable units for clients, most of which seem to be off-market opportunities, and Ben will play a vital role in the search for these properties.”
The growth of the team follows the recent expansion of the planning and the investment property management teams in response to record growth during the first quarter of 2016, and prior to that the expansion of the national offices team.
Pictured: New arrival Ben Cronan, left, with industrial & logistics members Ailish Dove, Tim Davies and Tom Watkins
