Lidl to start operations at new Peterborough distribution centre
The Lidl supermarket chain has said it will start operations at its new £70 million regional distribution centre in Peterborough on 1 August.
The new facility is part of Lidl’s commitment to invest £1.45 billion in the UK in 2019 and 2020. Spanning 45,000 square metres, it already employs 400 people and will recruit a further 50 this year. The centre is replacing an existing smaller Lidl warehouse at Lutterworth which will continue to operate as a non-food warehouse.
Stephen Hutchinson, Lidl regional director for Peterborough, said: “I am immensely proud of all of our colleagues that have worked tirelessly to ensure this warehouse can open on time. Keeping on track with the build, and the preparations to go operational under these exceptional circumstances, has only been possible because of their hard work and we are incredibly grateful to everyone that has been involved.”
Situated next to the A1(M), the facility will initially serve 48 stores and will use a natural refrigerant system that heats and cools the entire building. It also features solar panels that will generate 10% of the total electricity required by the building.
Lidl’s wider warehouse expansion plans are continuing throughout the Covid-19 pandemic with new distribution centres planned for Luton and Bolton. It is also planning to expand existing warehouses in Belvedere and Bridgend.
Lidl GB chief operations officer Matthew Heslop said: “As a supermarket it has been our priority over the past months to ensure that the communities we serve continue to have access to much needed food supplies and essentials. This is very much still our focus, and with the addition of our new Peterborough distribution centre, we are further strengthening our logistics and operations to ensure that we can continue to serve as many customers as possible with quality food at Lidl prices.”
The retailer has previously announced plans to open 100 new stores across the UK throughout 2021 and 2022.
