Poundland plans new ‘800 job’ distribution centre
The discount retailer – whose range includes ambient food and drinks – will site the centre on an industrial estate in Ashton-in-Makerfield, near Wigan subject to planning approval.
A spokeswoman for the retailer told FoodManufacture.co.uk: “Poundland plans to open a new distribution centre in the Wigan area in 2016. But we are still going through the formal planning process. Once this has concluded we will be in a position to comment further.”
The distribution centre will cover more than 30,000m2 and will serve the retailer’s shops in the north west.
Largest single boost to jobs
If Poundland’s plan wins planning approval, it will be the largest single boost to jobs in the area for more than 40 years. The investment was expected to create a range of skilled full-time and part-time jobs plus apprenticeships.
Wigan Council’s cabinet member for economy David Molyneux described the plan as “fantastic news” for Wigan borough and proved the area was a “major player in the creation of a northern powerhouse”.
Major investments in the borough are crucial to the local economy, said Molyneux. “We are very pro-business at Wigan council and have worked closely with the developer db symmetry and Poundland to ensure that the plans come to fruition.”
Poundland has submitted a planning application to Wigan council but a date for a decision has yet to be finalised.
‘Heart of the motorway network’
Wigan was understood to have beaten two other areas in the north west to secure the investment. “Wigan is ideally located for business between Manchester and Liverpool and is at the heart of the motorway network.”
Poundland, based in the west midlands, is the largest single price value retailer in the UK. Earlier this month the retailer announced its sales had topped £1bn for the first time. The discount chain opened its first store in 1990 and now operated more than 580 shops nationwide.
For the latest jobs in food and drink manufacturing, visit FoodManJobs.
