Defence Online

Leicestershire-based APAC Packaging, an importer and distributor of florist supplies, has lodged plans for a major retail development at its Rothley headquarters, just ten months after completing work on a new warehouse at the site.APAC currently has outline permission to develop a number of buildings on land at its base on Loughborough Road. As part of the plans, the company constructed a new warehouse which was completed in October 2015.The premises, known as unit ten, was jointly funded by a £3m commercial loan from HSBC and cash from the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership.APAC also secured a further £2.5m from the bank to acquire Nottingham-based counterpart Wilfrid Whittingtons, which operates 15 stores nationwide.The latest planning application proposes the creation of a 37,000 sq ft property split into two units. It will replace an existing dilapidated building adjacent to APAC’s new warehouse and the Leicester Rowena Garden Centre.The larger space (21,000 sq ft) will be operated as a factory shop by UK Shopping Mall, Whittingtons’ sister business.The smaller unit is expected to be occupied by a retailer specialising in aquatics. Separate plans to extend unit ten have also been lodged.