Former John Lewis distribution centre in East Sussex let

A large warehouse distribution centre in East Sussex, formerly occupied by John Lewis Partnership (JLP), has been let.

Unit 4, Ashdown Business Park is a high-spec 50,664 sq ft warehouse premises on a 3.3-acre site at Maresfield, near Uckfield.

Property consultancy Vail Williams acted for JLP on the letting for the property, which was deemed surplus to requirements and closed in 2022.

Vail Williams worked with landlord LondonMetric Property plc to market and assign JLP’s lease.

However, following significant interest, a deal was struck on basis of a lease surrender by JLP and grant of a new 15-year lease on an improved market rent of just under £10 per sq ft with CPI reviews.

Designed and built for JLP in 2016 as a regional distributional hub, the detached, self-contained distribution warehouse has 21 loading doors, a large servicing yard, high quality office accommodation and parking for 93 vehicles.

Steve Berrett, partner in Vail Williams’ Gatwick region, said: “We’re thrilled to have completed this transaction, not only for John Lewis, but also for the landlord.

“We received a great deal of interest in the unit and it was a complex transaction.

“It was very much a successful result for all parties – JLP were able to relinquish the liability and LondonMetric achieved a new lease on improved terms.”