Transforming an unloved site into a logistics hub of the future

Imperial Tobacco decided on the heart of the East Midlands for their custom-built factory and distribution centre. But when EU legislation around the supply of cigarettes changed in 2016, the 48-acre site that had been their UK Manufacturing base became surplus to requirements.

We knew Nottingham well, having worked on The Axis scheme, and so recognised this would be a unique opportunity within the region. It’s well located, in a strategic position close to Nottingham city centre and also the M1. We were delighted to secure the property, and begin forging the site’s future as New Horizon.

We’ve overseen Imperial’s decommission of the buildings, with our key aim being to reuse and recycle as many of the materials as possible from the demolition. The extensive timber flooring, which was such a feature in their tobacco manufacturing process, has been turned into wood pellets for use in biomass eco-friendly boilers. Steel salvaged from the frame of the building will be recycled, and the crushed concrete has been retained on site to be used as new building bases, yards and roads, all of which will result in 98% of materials being recycled through the scheme.

Now, the site is ready for development. Our vision for New Horizon is to make it a booming employment site within Nottingham – attracting local, national and international businesses. The combination of its location, accessibility and proximity to such a skilled workforce will make this a powerhouse within the East Midlands.