Chichester glasshouses sold to Thanet Earth operators Fresca Group
Leythorne Nurseries, an 8.22-acre freehold site south of Chichester, has been bought for an undisclosed sum by Fresca Group.
The site features 26,829 sq m of glasshouses and is now set to trade as Thanet Earth Lettuce, supplementing the group’s existing operation in East Kent.
It plans to produce lettuce under glass for 12 months of the year in a deep-flow hydroponic system.
The sale was made on behalf of the joint administrators of Madestein UK Ltd and Fresh Willow Ltd, which went under last May, by Savills and SIA Group.
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Ian Simpson, director on the leisure and trade team at Savills, said: “We’re delighted to have concluded this sale on behalf of our client.
“A good level of interest was generated in the availability of these two modern glasshouses, and we wish Fresca all the best for the future in their new premises.”
Philip Armstrong and Steve Baluchi of business advisory firm FRP served as joint administrators for the deal.
Steve added: “Leythorne Nurseries has served a number of the UK’s leading supermarkets.
“Following its acquisition by Fresca, it provides an opportunity for the site to provide a thriving business that drives value for the local community as well as further afield.”
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