Old Honda site ready for first tenants after revamp

Units at a former Honda factory site are ready for their first tenants following a £300m revamp.

The first warehouse at the manufacturing facility Panattoni Park, in Swindon, has been completed and a second 915,000 sq ft (85,000 sq m) building is expected to open in April.

Once it is fully open, the site could support about 7,000 on-site jobs, with 11,000 roles created across the wider local supply chain.

Councillor Jim Robbins, Swindon Borough council leader, said: "I have always been clear that we must be ambitious for this site. It is set to play a crucial role in strengthening Swindon's position as a leading economic hub."

The Honda plant closed in 2021 at a loss of 3,500 jobs, in what was described as "devastating" news for the town.

The car manufacturer decided to pull out of the Wiltshire town due to falling sales and competition by the popularity of electric cars.

Councillor Robbins says he hopes the site can help boost Swindon's economy.

He said: "Seeing the first completed unit was a real milestone moment, and the progress achieved in just 12 months has been remarkable.

"I look forward to the announcement of the first of what I hope will be many tenants in the near future."

James Watson, Panattoni's head of development for Southern England & London, said £300m of the estimated £915m total budget for the scheme has been invested so far.

He added: "The space is suitable for a range of occupiers, including advanced manufacturing, logistics and assembly operations."

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