Connect at Integra 61 is a joint development by Sunrise Real Estate and Citrus Durham

The Connect industrial scheme at the mixed-use Integra 61 development comprises five speculative units ranging from 43,000 to 298,000 sq ft and will provide a variety of accommodation to a key area of the UK where demand is high but supply is low. The unit Connect 298 will be the largest speculatively developed industrial/warehouse unit in the North East for over a decade and will fill a crucial void in the regional supply pipeline.

GMI Construction, the appointed contractor for the build of Connect at Integra 61, has progressed the works on-site at the mixed-use scheme, with the completion of units in summer 2023 fast approaching.

Connect is based at Integra 61, one of the North East’s most significant regeneration projects, costing £400M, with outline consent in place for over three million sq ft of employment space with the potential to create some 4,000 jobs. Already home to Amazon’s 2m sq ft Fulfilment Centre, this speculative development phase will satisfy those companies looking for space that is already under construction.

Matthew Stevens, head of development at Sunrise Real Estate, commented: “We are very pleased to see the Connect units steadily progressing towards upcoming completion.

“The units integrate well with the wider scheme, providing high-quality industrial and logistics units at varying sizes, servicing local businesses and residents and creating meaningful job opportunities for the community.”

David Cullingford, project lead for Integra 61 and Citrus, said: “It’s exciting to see more and more businesses choose the North East for their business needs and, in turn, what this can do for the region’s success in terms of raising its profile across the UK, investing in the local economy and local job creation as well. The Connect units represent a significant development at Integra 61, playing a crucial role, in conjunction with the wider scheme, to meet the demand for high quality industrial accommodation in a region where supply has been historically low.”

“To see the units rapidly approaching practical completion on this significant development is hugely important for the region as it takes us a step closer to easing chronic shortages of high quality industrial accommodation in the North East.

“The range of unit sizes has been devised to align with demand, and we are excited to watch the progress taking place ahead of completion this summer.”

Work continues apace in the broader scheme to deliver additional components of the mixed-use development, which includes a roadside element that is now seeing significant success following the opening of Greggs and Costa Coffee drive-thru units, with construction work set to start shortly on a further unit for KFC.

Why you should come to Connect at Integra 61

The Northern Echo:

Demographics

Connect at Integra 61 is strategically positioned in the industrial heartland of the North East.

With superb links and drawing upon a deep pool of available labour, Connect at Integra 61 is ideally suited to any manufacturing or logistics occupier.

Competitive and available labour

With nearly double the level of industrial workers in County Durham compared to the UK average (source Nomis 2021), Connect at Integra 61 can call upon labour suited to all levels of the supply chain. Reflecting the high level of worker availability in the area, pay rates in County Durham are highly competitive, typically 11 per cent less than the national average (source Nomis 2021).

Given the direct access to a large regional consumer base, Connect at Integra 61 is in a prime position for manufacturers, e-commerce retailers, logistics and last-mile delivery services.

Ideal for logistics and manufacturing

As a catchment with high levels of industrial activity, this labour pool comprises both experienced warehouse professionals and new entrants to the industry, therefore meeting business needs across all levels of a supply chain operation.

Given the competitive local labour market, a 200-person workforce in Country Durham can offer meaningful savings of £0.5m per year of staff costs versus the UK average of an equivalent team.

Combine that with the high level of investment currently being made by the UK government to improve the region’s connectivity, and it’s easy to see that Connect at Integra 61 benefits from the best of both worlds. With easy access routes to the rest of the UK and abroad, a strong labour pool, and the cost of operations being reduced across all areas, now is the time to locate to Connect at Integra 61.

A manufacturing hotspot

County Durham boasts a firm hold on various industries relative to the broader UK market, including:

13.7 per cent manufacturing compared to 7.9 per cent in the UK overall.

4.8 per cent in transportation and logistics compared to 5.1 per cent in the UK.

One in three cars and 26 per cent of all electric vehicles made in the UK are produced in the North East.

Large available workforce perfectly placed for logistics.

There are 1.5 million people within 60 minutes’ drive and 2.47 million potential customers based within 60 minutes’ drive. There are also 1.23 million consumer and business addresses within 30 miles.

There is also a competitive average hourly pay, with County Durham’s average being just £14.03, which is 11 per cent lower than the UK average of £15.65.

There are 14,000 people actively seeking work in County Durham.

The Northern Echo:

Workplace

Connect at Integra 61 offers an exceptional working and living environment aimed at attracting major occupiers to the North East, employees on-site benefit from

• Costa Coffee and Greggs are now trading.

• Planning consent granted for vehicle dealerships, drive-thru/restaurants, retail, hotel, and pub uses.

Location and drive times

Connect at Integra 61 is the premier industrial and logistics hub in the North East, immediately adjacent to junction 61 of the A1(M).

The site occupies a strategic position in the North East of England at J61 of the A1(M), with ports including Teesport, Port of Tyne, Hartlepool and Sunderland all within easy reach. Newcastle International Airport and Durham Tees Valley are within a 30-mile radius of the site.

Within close proximity are the university city of Durham (4 miles), Newcastle (22 miles) and Sunderland (16 miles), bringing a sizeable urban consumer market within reach.

About Sunrise Real Estate

Sunrise invest in logistics properties in Europe and the UK through acquisitions and development, with a focused value-driven approach and hands-on asset management to ensure long-term value creation. They strive to deliver best-in-class logistics units and create lasting relationships with tenants while remaining deeply committed to positive environmental and social impact.

Sunrise’s portfolio includes around 20 million sq ft across key UK and European strategic markets.

What’s available at Connect at Integra 61?

Connect at Integra 61 is a five-unit industrial/warehouse development, built to a specification totalling 639,460 sq ft, consisting of units to let from 43,000 sq ft to 297,500 sq ft.

Strong sustainability credentials, including a target EPC Rating of “A” and BREEAM “Excellent”.

Under construction, available summer 2023