Asda plans new distribution centre in Rochdale
Asda is planning to open a state-of-the-art distribution centre in Rochdale. The supermarket chain is to submit a planning application later this month to build the centre on a 44 acre site on Kingsway Business Park.
If the planning application is successful, the centre will feature almost 500,000sq ft of warehousing and offices, as well as a 133,500sq ft on-site waste recycling centre.
Ant Everett, head of network development for ASDA Distribution, said: “”Since the successful acquisition by ASDA of the Netto business in 2010, the company has identified a shortfall in warehouse capacity covering the North West and Yorkshire. We have designed a purpose-built Chilled Distribution Centre to service our growing number of stores. This will be a flagship development, which includes a state-of-the-art recycling centre, and will be one of the most environmentally sustainable developments of its kind in the UK.
“Kingsway’s location, and the fact that it has direct access to the M62, makes it ideal to support stores across the whole of the north of England. When it is fully operational, the proposed investment at Kingsway will provide hundreds of new jobs in the area.”
Councillor Peter Williams, Rochdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Corporate Management and Economic Regeneration, said: “This is fantastic news for the borough and confirms Kingsway is seen as a regionally strategic site. If planning permission is granted we will be working closely with ASDA in the run-up to the opening to make sure local people get every opportunity to apply for the 800 jobs being created and for local suppliers to have the opportunity to tender for work”.
John Hudson chief executive of Rochdale Development Agency (RDA), said: “This is a multi-million pound proposed investment and if the plans are given the go-ahead the centre will be the second largest occupier on the Park after JD Sports. It will mark another significant milestone in the development of Kingsway.”
Asda has said it will be consulting with residents living near Kingsway Business Park in the next few weeks with officers from RDA and the Council also on hand to answer residents’ queries.
