Huge new postal depot in Bolton to create hundreds of jobs

National postal operator Whistl is creating hundreds of employment opportunities in Bolton with the launch of a new super depot.

The company will move into M&G Real Estate’s Logistics 225 scheme, located within the Logistics North development, on a 10-year lease.

The 224,938 sq ft warehouse will allow Whistl to consolidate its existing Leeds and Warrington operations.

The site offers the firm 33% more capacity for the expansion of its mail, parcel and ecommerce business. Further, Whistl is confident the relocation will increase its operational efficiency, as Logistics 225 has four level-access doors, 20 dock levellers, 50 parking spaces for trailers, 31 loading positions and a 222-space car park.

To support the move, Whistl will embark on a recruitment drive and create 500 new jobs for the Bolton area.

Whistl CEO Nick Wells said: “We are delighted to confirm that we are investing in this grade A facility at Logistics North in Bolton.

“The new depot will enable us to provide an excellent working environment for our colleagues as well enable us to continue providing high quality and efficient services to our customers.”

He added: “We look forward to working with Bolton Council on recruiting people to work at Whistl in the coming months.”

Bolton Council Leader Cllr Cliff Morris commented: “This is great news for local people and will be of tremendous benefit to our town and residents.

“This is great news for local people and will be of tremendous benefit to our town and residents. I am proud that our hard work behind the scenes has paid off as Whistl joins the likes of Lidl, Aldi, MBDA and Joy Global, bringing at least 100 new jobs and additional revenue into the borough.”

He continued: “This clearly demonstrates that Logistics North is the perfect distribution site for business and a key site for the North West. With another major company due to be announced soon, it is clear that Bolton is an attractive proposition for business growth.”

Logistics North is one of the region’s biggest live commercial developments, with outline planning permission already secured on four million sq ft of additional commercial space.

The site also has a 550-acre country park currently under construction.

M&G Real Estate’s director of logistics and industrial asset management, David Crowley, commented: “The buildings we have funded at Logistics North form an important part of our current 1.4 million sq ft speculative logistics programme.

“This early pre let to Whistl underlines the strength of the location and is testament to our ongoing strategy to create core product in prime locations which will provide long term income returns for the funds. We shall continue to look for similar opportunities into 2017 and add to our £2.4bn industrial and logistics portfolio.”

Logistics 225 (pictured above) and the nearby Logistics 175 unit were fully funded by M&G Real Estate and built by property firm Harworth Group plc. Both units saw practical completion in December 2016.

Harworth Group’s executive director of capital growth, Ian Ball, said: “Logistics North has established itself as one of the North of England’s leading distribution locations and we are delighted to welcome another leading company like Whistl to take occupancy of Logistics 225 within six weeks of us completing it on M&G’s behalf.

“Whistl’s arrival at Logistics North further proves the site’s strategic importance to distribution companies and the underlying strength of the Logistics market in the North West.”

He continued: “We now look forward to letting M&G’s other Logistics 175 unit as one of the few remaining Grade A rated distribution warehouses available in the North West.”

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