Bedford, UK: Construction of AF Blakemore’s new multi-temperature distribution depot in Bedford is well underway.
In August last year the company announced that it had set its sights on a purpose-built warehouse in Bedford as part of ambitious growth plans.
AF Blakemore has agreed a 20-year lease on a 15,315sq metre distribution warehouse and is due to take occupancy in 2021. The new site will have ambient, chill and frozen chambers
McClaren Construction started work on the site on 13 April, with the first steels erected on 2 July. It is expected that the building will be complete by the end of the year, with AFB’s fit out lasting until April 2021. The depot should be able to start operating from May 2021.
The new Manton Lane site will complement the company’s existing network of distribution centres in England and Wales, and will provide the business with additional supply chain capacity to support targeted growth across its retail and wholesale divisions.
The company’s headquarters will remain in Willenhall in the West Midlands.
Group logistics manager Marc Deakin said: “Having a greater presence across the country will strengthen our reputation as a national food distributor, enable us to continue to improve our service to customers and ensure the long-term sustainability of the business. Having the depot purpose-built provides us with a great opportunity to focus on staff facilities and environmental features that we hope will make the distribution centre our most energy-efficient yet.”
