NEW DISTRIBUTION CENTRE FOR CO-OP’S SCOTTISH STORE EXPANSION
Today the Co-op has announced plans for a new, bespoke distribution centre at Inverness Airport Business Park (IABP).
The new development will support the Co-op’s future store expansion and delivery network for stores in the North of Scotland when it opens in the late summer of 2018.
This year the Co-op has opened six new stores in Scotland, with plans for a further 11 by the end of the year, representing a total investment in new stores of £11million. This will take the Co-op’s number of stores north of the border to 360.
The new IABP distribution centre will also ensure continued employment for the 40 staff at the current site, which is located in the nearby Dalcross Industrial Estate, with potential for the creation of new jobs as the site develops following opening.
The new facility will continue to be serviced by double decker vehicles as opposed to single decker, resulting in fewer journeys reducing CO2 emissions and eliminating 1,800 road miles per day, making the Co-op’s logistics operation in Scotland a lot more environmentally friendly.
Andy Perry, Logistics Director of the Co-op, said: “This new distribution centre is both a great indication of how well our food business is performing, as well as a symbol of our commitment to communities in the North of Scotland. With ambitious plans to continue to open new stores, the new site will ensure we can continue to serve communities for decades to come.”
James Campbell, IABP Chairman, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Co-op to Inverness Airport Business Park (IABP) and look forward to working with them on the delivery of their new 12,000 sqft purpose-built distribution facility.
“Securing the Co-op as our anchor tenant very much sets the tone for what we are looking to achieve at IABP and the new facility is widely regarded as a ground-breaking development for Inverness and the Highlands. This will be a superb, modern distribution facility that will deliver improved operating efficiencies and enhanced business performance for the Co-op. Furthermore, IABP provides occupiers with excellent transport links and connectivity by air, road and soon to be rail, with the proposed introduction of the Inverness Airport (Dalcross) Station.
“It’s a very exciting time for IABP and we are encouraged to see the continued growth and success at Inverness Airport and Tornagrain New Town as well as the major transport infrastructure projects already underway on the A96 and A9 trunk roads.
“I’d like to thank our shareholders Moray Estates, Highlands & Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) and Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE) for their continued support and look forward to making further announcements about additional occupiers and new developments at IABP in the future.”
Work is already underway on the bespoke distribution centre.
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