Hundreds of new jobs at warehouse

Online grocery retailer sets up huge distribution hub

More than 200 new jobs will be created in Peterborough after on-line grocery retailer Ocado announced plans to open a distribution hub in Fengate.

Up to 250 jobs are to be created in Peterborough by online grocery retailer Ocado. Ocado is to be open a new distribution hub in unit 3 at the Darlows Business Centre, Whitehead Drove, in Fengate.

Ocado, which distributes for Morrisons and Waitrose and receives an average of 167,000 orders a week, has agreed a 15 years lease on a 48,000 sq ft warehouse for its operations in the east of England.

The unit was the former homeofCity Link which went into administration in 2015 with the loss of 50 jobs.

Currently Ocado’s closest distribution centre for PeterboroughandCambridgeshire is in Hatfield, nearly 65 miles away.

Its new hub is enclosed by concrete hardstanding for the storage of delivery vehicles, employee parking and for HGV deliveries.

An Ocado spokesperson said: “We are very pleased to haveacquiredthesitethatwill allow ustoprovide customers with even better customer service through wider availability of delivery slots.

“The site went live yesterdaywiththefirstdeliveryvans leaving at 5.45am.

“We expect the new site to eventually create around 250 jobs.”

Richard Jones, director at Barker Storey Matthews, which secured the deal, said: “Wearedelightedtoannounce that Ocado will be joining the city of Peterborough. This is a fantastic piece of news for employment within the area.

“Ocado has been involved in an extensive fit-out of the property.

“The online grocery market is growing at anincredibly fast rate and this new distribution centre will increase Ocado’s reach and efficiency significantly.”

John Dadge, director of planning at Barker Storey Matthews, said: “We would particularly like to praise Peterborough City Council’s planning department for the swift resolution of planning matters.

“There were a number of issues that needed resolving at the last moment and the council pulled out all of the stops to ensure the deal was not delayed.”

The creation of the hub is more good employment news for Peterborough.

Figures show the number of Jobseeker’s Allowance claimants in Peterborough fell in Juneto1,415, downfrom 1,500 in the previous month.

The newOcado distribution centre in Peterborough.