East Midlands property insight: logistics, defence and energy reshaping demand

The East Midlands remains a pivotal UK industrial and logistics market, supported by strong transport links, defence and energy investment, and initiatives such as the East Midlands Freeport and Investment Zone.

The East Midlands continues to demonstrate strong fundamentals for industrial and logistics development, underpinned by its central location, established transport networks and access to a skilled workforce.

Its role as a key node in the UK economy remains unchanged, with the M1, A50 and A38 corridors continuing to anchor logistics and distribution activity across the region.

Defence manufacturing and supply chain demand

National investment priorities are now reinforcing these strengths. Defence‑led manufacturing is a clear driver of demand, particularly for high‑specification industrial accommodation. Rolls‑Royce’s work on nuclear reactors for the UK’s submarine programme is creating significant supply‑chain and property requirements, supporting demand from precision engineering, specialist manufacturing and research and development occupiers with a premium on connectivity and power resilience.

Rolls-Royce’s long experience delivering reactors for the UK’s submarine fleet lies behind its new generation of civilian SMR reactors, where it has signed a deal with GB Energy to begin the design and planning for them to become part of the UK’s energy mix.

Energy infrastructure and Trent Supercluster

Energy represents a further major opportunity. The region is well placed to support energy‑intensive and future‑focused development, with initiatives such as the STEP Fusion programme at West Burton highlighting its role in national energy infrastructure. This forms part of the wider Trent Supercluster corridor in Nottinghamshire, including Cottam (SMR nuclear supporting AI data centres) and High Marnham (green hydrogen).

Supported by the East Midlands Freeport and Investment Zone, the region is well positioned to attract investment and deliver resilient, sustainable industrial and logistics growth.