1,200 Jobs Created with New Bedfordshire Depot

  • Co-op agrees terms for a new £45m distribution centre
  • Located near Bedfordshire’s Symmetry Park, Biggleswade
  • Expected to open in early 2022 and create 1,200 jobs
  • 661,000 sq ft depot
  • DB Symmetry purchased the site in 2017
  • Granted detailed planning consent for up to one million sq ft of logistics space
  • Co-op opened a £6m distribution centre at Inverness Airport Business Park in August
  • Jo Whitfield, retail CEO: ‘a vital step in our journey’
  • Andy Perry, supply chain and logistics director: ‘improving service and availability’
  • Reduces road miles and overall supply chain costs

The Co-op has agreed terms for a new £45 million distribution centre in Bedfordshire’s Symmetry Park, Biggleswade, set to open in early 2022 and create up to 1,200 jobs. The 661,000 sq ft site will support the retailer’s growth plans for London, the South, and the South East. DB Symmetry purchased the land in 2017 and secured detailed planning consent for one million sq ft of logistics space. Co-op also opened a £6m distribution centre at Inverness Airport Business Park in August, servicing stores in the Highlands of Scotland. CEO Jo Whitfield said the new site will better serve communities and support growth ambitions. Supply chain director Andy Perry added that it would improve service and availability while reducing road miles and supply chain costs.

Factuality Level: 10
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate information about The Co-op’s new distribution depot, its location, expected opening date, job creation, and the benefits it will bring to their logistics network and growth plans. It also includes quotes from Jo Whitfield and Andy Perry that support the claims made in the article.
Noise Level: 2
Noise Justification: The article provides relevant information about The Co-op’s expansion plans and new distribution depot, as well as its potential impact on job creation and service improvement. It also includes quotes from key executives that support the claims made in the article. However, it lacks a broader analysis or exploration of long-term trends or consequences for other businesses in the industry.
Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: The new distribution depot will impact Co-op’s logistics network and supply chain operations, potentially affecting its costs and efficiency.
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses the construction of a new £45m distribution depot by The Co-op, which is expected to create jobs and improve their logistics network. This can affect the company’s operational costs and efficiency, making it financially relevant.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: Other
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no mention of an extreme event in the text.

Reported publicly: www.retailsector.co.uk