AGENTS Primmer Olds have been instructed to dispose of the drinks giant Bacardi's production and warehouse facility in Southampton Docks.

As previously reported in the Daily Echo, the historic Cuban rum maker has axed 200 staff as it calls time on its bottling plant in Southampton docks.

Primmer Olds found new office accommodation in the £17m Royal Court development at Kingsworthy on the outskirts of Winchester for the remaining 200 strong workforce.

Duane Walker, partner in charge of agency and investment with Primmer Olds, says: "The size of the project and the calibre of the client make this a very exciting instruction for Primmer Olds. We look forward to helping Bacardi-Martini with their plans to ensure the growth and competitiveness of the company through the consolidation and reorganisation of their south coast facilities."

The Bacardi-Martini facility occupies a 12-acre site and includes warehouse, production and office space totalling close to 350,000 sqft.

Workers will move in to their new offices during the summer, while bottling work at the plant will come to an end in September.

The site is currently held on a long leasehold basis from port operators Associated British Ports and is available for occupation from early in 2008.

Royal Court, which has 235 parking spaces and a courtyard, was built by Ringwood-based construction giant Dean & Dyball and Hampshire developer Oceanic estates.

It is also home to global pharmaceutical company PPD.