Lidl is set to open another brand new distribution centre in Doncaster, South Yorkshire, becoming the latest household name to join iPort, Verdion’s £500 million multi-modal logistics development.
The announcement of the new £70 million warehouse marks another milestone in the supermarket’s ongoing expansion plans within the UK, and follows the opening of Lidl’s newest regional distribution centre in Southampton earlier this month, which has created more than 400 new jobs.
The supermarket will occupy 628,000 sq ft (58,400 sq m) of logistics space with additional ancillary areas, on a 35-acre (14 hectare) plot within Phase One of the 6 million sq ft (557,400 sq m) logistics scheme, bringing 500 permanent jobs to the region.
Adrienne Howells, Lidl UK’s Head of Warehouse Expansion, commented: “With more British customers choosing Lidl as their family supermarket we are laser focused on the sustainable growth of our business. We are, therefore, thrilled to be in a position to confirm our 13th distrubution centre in Great Britain, bringing investment to Doncaster, new jobs and additional support to our existing and future stores in the north of England.”
Michael Hughes, CEO of Verdion, comments: “We are delighted to announce this significant signing to another well-known name at iPort. Lidl is a strong operator with great confidence in the region, bringing with it many new job opportunities for Doncaster and the surrounding areas.”
Lidl will join Fellowes, Amazon and CEVA who have also taken space at iPort within Phase One. Over 2 million sq ft (185,800 sq m) has now been committed.
The supermarket, which opened its first British based RDC in 1994, currently has warehouses in ten other locations up and down the country, including Northfleet, Enfield, Belvedere, Livingston, Weston-Super-Mare, Lutterworth, Newton Aycliffe, Runcorn, Bridgend and Southampton.
Earlier in the year the grocer announced that it would be relocating its warehouses in Weston-Super-Mare and Livingston to Bristol and Eurocentral respectively, as well as opening two new warehouses in Wednesbury and Exeter as well as expanding its RDCs in Newton Aycliffe and Runcorn.
A Planning Application for Lidl’s new warehouse and office space has been submitted, with construction anticipated to commence in 2017.
As well as the 565,000 sq ft (52,489 sq m) of speculative development announced recently by Verdion, the scheme offers design and build warehouse/logistics units from 50,000 (4,645 sq m) to 1 million sq ft (92,900 sq m).
Verdion is developing the scheme on a 337-acre (136 hectare) site in Rossington, Doncaster. The site is linked with Junction 3 of the M18 via the Great Yorkshire Way.
Gent Visick, CBRE and Cushman & Wakefield are letting agents for iPort.
Colliers International acted for Lidl.
