The 13.6-acre site will accommodate a 14,865m2 unit, which will be built and fitted out in three phases. Trafford-based Russells Construction has been appointed to carry out the works, which will see the first two phases built this year with the remaining floor space and fit-out completed in line with future demand.
'Northern 'superhub'
Planning was secured in 2011 for the new unit at the Hareshill Distribution Park, immediately adjacent to the group's national headquarters, which has a 40,000 pallet capacity. The new cold store will ultimately provide a further 40,000 pallet spaces, doubling Heywood's capacity and enabling the company to create a northern 'superhub' where stock will be consolidated for more efficient delivery into the UK's major retailers and foodservice organisations.
The expansion will create up to 150 new jobs and secure employment for the existing 300 staff at Heywood.
Harry Yearsley, md of Yearsley Group, said: "The Heywood cold store is currently near to full capacity so the expansion of our operation is in direct response to the demands of new and existing customers for whom this north west location is ideal. It will become the first of two national 'superhubs' for Yearsley Group, enabling us to consolidate more stock in single, strategically located stores, thereby increasing efficiency and reducing carbon output."
The second 'superhub' will be strategically located to complement the north west operation and other 'regional' depots, and sites in the east and southern regions are currently being considered.
Construction is set to begin this month to provide storage facilities for new customers coming online later in the year.
