A venture specialising in providing and maintaining power for data centres is moving into a 140,000 sq ft space in Liverpool city region at a record headline rent for the North West. Tony McDonough reports
Data centre power specialist AVK SEG (AVK) has agreed a deal for 140,000 sq ft of industrial space in Liverpool city region at a record headline rent.
AVK will set up its first operational base in the north of England at a new warehouse development called Haydock 140, part of the Haydock Green industrial and logistics scheme. It is unclear so far how many people will be employed there.
Acting on behalf of site owner Fieldstone Developments, agents at B8RE secured a 15-year lease with AVK at a headline rent of £12.50 per sq ft. This sets a new record headline rent for the North West for units over 100,000 sq ft.
Data centres are being established at a rapid rate across the world and here in the UK. They store, process and deliver huge amounts of data for our increasingly digital world, particulate for the fast-growing AI sector.
Working in the UK and across Europe, AVK provides both primary and back-up power for data centres and will design, build, install, and maintain systems. They utilise diesel generators, batteries, switchgear and microgrids.
B8RE advised Fieldstone Developments from initial site acquisition through to design development, construction delivery and the successful letting to AVK during the build programme.
Fieldstone Developments is a joint venture between Barnfield Construction and a private individual with funding provided by Together Money.
Jon Thorne, director at B8RE, joint letting agents with Colliers, said: “Haydock 140 represents the most prominent building on the M6 corridor, combining landmark architecture with a best-in-class, high-specification design.
“AVK’s requirement was clear: to secure a high-quality, statement facility to establish its presence in the region. Haydock 140 provides the ideal platform to support its continued growth and long-term ambitions.
“This investment is also significant for St Helens and the wider Liverpool city region, bringing a significant number of high-quality employment opportunities and further reinforcing the area’s strength as a strategic business location.”
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This unit sits prominently at the front of the scheme, adjacent to a newly completed 377,000 sq ft distribution facility pre-let to healthcare logistics specialist Movianto, which was also developed by the same partnership.
Tim Webber, chairman of Barnfield Construction, added: “The strength of the location, combined with the quality of design and specification, has proven compelling, and securing AVK underlines both the depth of demand and the long-term appeal of Haydock as a strategic distribution location.”