A 126,000 sq ft logistics facility at Stone Cross Park in Warrington has been sold to an international packaging company.

ALPLA – which is headquartered in Austria and employs more than 20,000 staff – is buying the former Carlsberg unit at Yew Tree Way from Oxenwood Real Estate and Stoford Developments for its own occupation. It already occupies two large facilities at Stone Cross.

The sellers acquired the site last November with plans to refurbish and extend the built space and develop new space on the surplus yard. They now intend to begin construction on a 72,500 sq ft grade A facility called Stone Cross 72.

GMI Construction has been appointed as contractor, with completion expected by January 2020.

Stewart Little, co-founder of Oxenwood Real Estate, said: “The sale of Stone Cross 136 at an early point in our business plan supports our strategy of buying vacant or short-let units that provide flexible and cost-effective accommodation in areas of strong occupier demand.

“We will continue to deploy capital into markets where we have conviction in occupational markets and can create strong income returns to our investors.”

Tony Nash, director at Stoford Developments, added: “ALPLA is an internationally-renowned brand and its decision to acquire this industrial/warehouse unit is testament to the strength of the location for occupiers seeking to be connected to the M6 and M62 corridors.

“Stone Cross is an established and prime logistics location with an enviable line up of well-respected tenants, in a region that has a shortage of available stock.

“We look forward to commencing work on Stone Cross 72 as part of phase two of the scheme and are anticipating considerable demand from potential occupiers.”