Laura James is moving to a new 217,785 sqft headquarters at DIRFT, one of the Midlands' key logistics hubs. The move marks the company’s first major real estate transaction, underlining the scale of the brand’s growth.
Laura James says the build-to-suit project, developed in partnership with Prologis UK, will allow it to consolidate its distribution operations, enhance its customer offering and invest in a larger workforce.
CEO Matthew Talbot comments: “We needed a new distribution facility that allows us to improve speed of service and enable the business to continue to grow at a fast pace without operational constraints. We chose a location that would drive efficiency across our UK supply chain. With strong transport links, proven sustainability credentials and flexibility all key to our decision, Prologis helped us find the ideal solution at DIRFT. We are extremely excited to bring all our operational activities under one roof and look forward to working with the Prologis team on the project.”
Neighbours include household retailers Dunelm, Tesco and Sainsbury’s. The site offers fast access to the M1, M6 and A14, as well as dedicated rail freight connectivity.
The new facility, DC8, will target BREEAM Outstanding and EPC A+ ratings, with features including rooftop solar PV to support cost-effective operations. Laura James will also benefit from DIRFT’s PARKlife amenities, designed to support wellbeing, mobility and workplace experience.
As part of the deal, Laura James will also utilise the Prologis Essentials platform to support the new HQ fit-out.
James Hemstock, capital deployment and leasing director at Prologis UK, says: “Our focus has been on helping Laura James secure a future-ready facility that can support their growth ambitions. Their decision to choose DIRFT reflects the strong momentum we’re seeing at the park, with customers increasingly drawn to its connectivity, scale and sustainability credentials. We’re delighted to welcome Laura James to DIRFT and look forward to working closely with the team as their new Midlands headquarters comes to life.”
Construction of Laura James’ new headquarters started in September 2025, with the base build expected to take nine months. Laura James will exit its current Sheffield facility during June, with the new facility expected to be fully operational from September 2026.
