Waitrose has landed a deal to a huge new distribution centre in the North West.
The upmarket retailer has agreed a deal with Evander Properties and British Airways Pension Fund (BAPF) to build a 400,000 sq ft distribution centre in Chorley, Lancashire.
BAPF will pump £35 million into the project developed by Evander which will eventually become Waitrose’s fifth regional distribution centre/
Subject to planning consent, the 30 acre former BAE defence systems site will include 360,000sqft of warehouse space, 80,000sqft of office space and a vehicle maintenance unit.
Waitrose will carry out fit out works and will lease the site from BAPF for 25 years supplying up to 80 branches in the North of England and Scotland.
Waitrose supply chain director David Jones said: “We’re delighted to be making such a significant investment in the North West and creating up to 600 new jobs for the region.
“We’ve made no secret of our plans to take the Waitrose brand to more people in more places and we’re currently still under represented in the north, a key area for our growth ambitions.
He added: “This new regional distribution centre will provide a vital platform for future expansion and unlock significant opportunities for us to open more shops in the North of England and Scotland.”
A planning application for the RDC will be submitted to South Ribble Council on 6th April 2011. Subject to planning consent, the new RDC will be up and running by autumn 2012.
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