A WAREHOUSE and distribution centre on the Nursling Industrial Estate has come onto the freehold market at a price of £4.5m.

The site at Unit 40, Oriana Way was previously being offered on a new lease but has now been put on the permanent transfer list by the Southampton office of Humberts Commercial.

The building, on the western edge of Southampton, comprises approximately 80,000 sq ft of warehouse, office and showroom accommodation on a four acre site and was previously the European Headquarters of teddy bear giant Russ Berrie.

The Oriana Way distribution facility should appeal to a wide range of occupiers and became available when Russ Berrie expanded to a new purpose 160,000 sq ft, 12 acre headquarters development at Hounsdown Business Park, Totton.

The site has over 60,000 sq ft of warehouse space, a secure rear yard with access via four dock level and two ground level loading doors as well as over 18,000 sq ft of first floor office/showroom space and car parking for 150 vehicles.

It is strategically located within the region's transport network - just one mile off the M27, four miles from the M3 and with the additional benefit of its close proximity to the docks, Southampton city centre and the airport.

Craig Powell, senior surveyor with Humberts in Southampton, said: "This is currently the only freehold building of this size available on the Nursling Industrial Estate and you only have to consider its other household name occupants such as Coca-Cola, Allders and Tesco to appreciate the appeal of its strategic location.

"We have been instructed to consider offers in the region of £4.5m and anticipate keen interest from owner occupiers looking to purchase their own premises, or investors who will appreciate the potential to let the warehousing and office components individually or as a whole."