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This site lies on the north side of Chilcomb Lane, next to the A31 dual-carriageway.

It is believed it was originally an army depot in WWII. The present buildings were built in the 1980s. Most recently it was the headquarters and distribution centre for Pilot Stores Ltd and Pilot Clothing Ltd, a firm that sold clothing. That business stopped trading in 2004 and the site has been unused since then.

Pilot's web site was Link which ceased being updated in February 2005 but can still be seen on the wayback internet archive Link .

In 2008 planning permission was granted for demolition of these buildings and development of modern business premises. In 2012 the challenge was taken up by developers Cavendish & Gloucester Plc, who were offering a design and build solution with three options: a single HQ building, two HQ buildings, or mixed business and warehouse uses. See Link

The Pilot site consisted of a small brick-built office building with four large warehouses to the north, covering 7260 sq.metres. Part of one warehouse, the southernmost one, contained a steel and concrete two-storey building giving office and other accommodation.

In 2012 the site had been unoccupied for 8 years. At some point the roofs of all four warehouses were almost completely removed, possibly to avoid paying Council Tax. At some point all electrical wiring and most switch gear was removed, possibly stolen due to the high price of copper. Roof removal caused partial collapse of the office ceilings, with much fibre glass insulation lying around. Surprisingly only two birds nests were seen inside, and no rodents.

There was no visible clue as to the former use of the site (clothing distribution). A 2005 year planner was seen. There were quite a few old tyres in the warehouses: too many to have been dumped by hand, but perhaps they were brought in by lorry at a time when the site was not secured.

Later: Link