Tritax Symmetry has agreed a major deal to let its speculatively built 151,388 sq ft industrial unit at Symmetry Park on the North Nottinghamshire/South Yorkshire border.

Premium dog food manufacturer Butternut Box has secured a 15-year lease on the unit. The fast-growing brand intends to invest significantly into its fit out for the building and will employ up to 500 people when the site is fully operational. Butternut Box say they plan to commence its fit out immediately and it should be operational by March 2021.

Established four years ago, Butternut Box makes high quality dog food with fresh ingredients, which customers can custom order online for direct delivery to their door. It has enjoyed critical acclaim and is identified as a brand for strong growth potential. Over last 12 months alone it has received over £20 million from investors recognising that it is well placed to benefit from strong consumer trends among pet owners.

Freddie Oakey, associate development director at Tritax Symmetry, said: “We are pleased to secure such a high-calibre operator for our first speculative unit at Symmetry Park. Butternut Box clearly has excellent growth potential for the future and for the brand to select this site for its central manufacturing and distribution hub is testament to the location and excellent facilities that the park offers.”

David Nolan at Butternut Box said: “We are incredibly proud and excited to be making this investment in the long-term future of our company. This move represents a huge investment in our operational capabilities for the future, as well as signalling our ambition to become an employer of choice in the area”.