Retailers continue to drive growth in the South West and across the UK in the industrial and distribution market, as the sector looks for new warehouse space to cope with the flood of consumer goods from the Far East, according to Lambert Smith Hampton’s

The Big Blue Shed at Bellshill Industrial Estate in Lanarkshire, one of Scotland’s most prominent industrial buildings, is back on the market through King Sturge.

Developer Sterling Capitol has submitted a detailed planning application for two major distribution centres that could create over 1,000 new jobs in the Goole area.

Gazeley is believed to have acquired a 20 acre site in Stoke-on-Trent off junction 15 of the M6 motorway and is believed to be in the process of acquiring an 11 acre site off junction 3 of the M6 motorway in Nuneaton.

Amazon has opened its 800,000 sq ft distribution facility in Swansea and has launched a huge recruitment drive to find some 1,000 staff.

ProLogis has “no exposure to empty rates legislation at the present time”, Robert Watson, chief executive of ProLogis European Properties, has told the company’s annual meeting. “Demand in the UK has been driven by internet and conventional retailers

Lancashire-based strategic land company Ainscough-Johnston has acquired the 45-acre former Enersys site in Clifton, near Swinton in Salford.

A new industrial park is set to give a new lease of life to one of South Yorkshire’s historic 19th century pit-sites.

Sladen Estates and Peveril Securities have announced plans to develop a new green shed at Brook Park in Mansfield.

St Modwen Developments has signed an agreement with Darlington Borough Council to open up 70 acres of land within the Faverdale Employment Area to create a £50 million major industrial park capable of providing 1,500 jobs.