Airline catering giant checks in at Icon Manchester Airport

One of the world’s leading providers of airline catering services is expanding its UK operations with a move to a new state-of-the-art 102,500 sq ft industrial/warehouse unit at Manchester Airport.

Alpha LSG, which is jointly owned by dnta and LSG Sky Chefs, has agreed a lease at Unit 4 of the £100 million Icon Manchester Airport development, securing its future in the region.

Icon Industrial, a strategic joint venture by Stoford Developments and TPG Real Estate, will deliver a single highly specified 95,000 sq ft industrial/warehouse building and 7,500 sq ft of integrated office accommodation, with 141 car parking spaces. Alpha LSG, which is jointly owned by dnta and LSG Sky Chefs

Alpha LSG provides in-flight catering, onboard retail and logistics services to more than 80 of the industry’s biggest operators. The new development will be home to Alpha LSG’s bonded warehouse and is almost double the size of its existing facility at Manchester Airport, representing its step towards innovative and exciting technological initiatives.

It is the latest major occupier to be unveiled by Icon Industrial at the rapidly growing logistics area of Airport City, following the announcement of a new logistics and global content creation studio for online beauty retailer, The Hut Group. The site is also home to DHL, Amazon, a BP Petrol Filling Station, Costa Coffee and M&S Simply Food.

Dan Gallagher, Joint Managing Director of Stoford Developments, said: “We are delighted to announce an occupier for Unit 4 of Icon Manchester Airport, which was secured before work has even begun on the development. Alpha LSG is the latest in a strong list of occupiers to have chosen this exciting scheme as a key strategic location for its future business growth and we look forward to delivering the facility.

“Icon Manchester Airport is a 45-acre build to suit logistics/warehouse development that will continue the fulfillment of the Airport City masterplan, expanding and enhancing the logistical facilities on site. The scheme offers excellent road, air and rail connections with immediate access to junction 6 of the M56 motorway and Greater Manchester.”

Alex Forbes, Chief Executive Officer of Alpha LSG, said: “This new building is a significant investment in our future in Manchester and beyond. We see this as an opportunity to launch lots of new improved initiatives across our entire network such as continued environmental agenda, the reduction in single use plastics, agile working, wellbeing in the workplace and interactive communications to name but a few.”

Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “Airport City is proving an incredibly attractive location for some of the biggest names in global business. It’s great to see investor confidence remains high as yet another international organisation chooses Manchester, helping Airport City go from strength to strength.”

Unit 4 Icon Manchester Airport is one of the main focal points upon entry into the logistics park, which is located adjacent to the World Freight Terminal. Situated in a prominent location at the edge of the site, between the M56 and the A538 Wilmslow Road, the development is immediately to the west of the World Freight Terminal and accessed via a spur off the Sunbank Lane southern roundabout.

The site benefits from the A6 Manchester Airport Relief Road, a £290 million dual carriageway linking the A6 and M56 that is expected to significantly reduce journey times to Manchester Airport.

TPG Real Estate and Stoford Developments are building Icon Industrial into a significant logistics platform by acquiring and developing similarly attractive UK sites, as well as refurbishing existing buildings in prime logistics locations. TPG Real Estate has significant experience investing in logistics while Stoford has completed more than 12 million sq ft of industrial development in the UK.

Alpha LSG provides in-flight services to the world’s airline customers from 15 facilities located at UK airports as well as two central production facilities. The business has combined revenues of more than £300 million and employs around 3,600 people.