ASDA plan to create 800 jobs at Kingsway

ASDA is planning to bring 800 jobs to Rochdale by opening a state-of-the-art distribution centre on Kingsway Business Park.

In a joint venture between the Park’s developers Wilson Bowden and ASDA, the retail giant is to submit a planning application later this month to develop a 44 acre site on the 420 acre park. If planning permission is granted they hope to have the facility up and running by the end of 2012.

The development would include almost 500,000sq ft of warehousing and offices, along with a 133,500 sq ft on-site waste recycling centre. It would handle up to three million cases of chilled frozen food per week as well as other food products.

ASDA currently has 24 distribution centres servicing its stores across the UK.

Ant Everett, Head of Network Development for ASDA Distribution, said: "Since the successful acquisition by ASDA of the Netto business in 2010, the company has identified a shortfall in warehouse capacity covering the North West and Yorkshire. We have designed a purpose-built Chilled Distribution Centre to service our growing number of stores. This will be a flagship development, which includes a state-of-the-art recycling centre, and will be one of the most environmentally sustainable developments of its kind in the UK.

"Kingsway’s location, and the fact that it has direct access to the M62, makes it ideal to support stores across the whole of the north of England. When it is fully operational, the proposed investment at Kingsway will provide hundreds of new jobs in the area".

Councillor Peter Williams, Rochdale Council’s Cabinet Member for Corporate Management and Economic Regeneration, said: “This is fantastic news for the borough and confirms Kingsway is seen as a regionally strategic site. If planning permission is granted we will be working closely with ASDA in the run-up to the opening to make sure local people get every opportunity to apply for the 800 jobs being created and for local suppliers to have the opportunity to tender for work”.

John Hudson Chief Executive of Rochdale Development Agency (RDA), said: “This is a multi-million pound proposed investment and if the plans are given the go-ahead the centre will be the second largest occupier on the Park after JD Sports. It will mark another significant milestone in the development of Kingsway.”

The retail chain has reached an agreement with Wilson Bowden Developments, developers of Kingsway, for ASDA to construct their own facility.

ASDA will be consulting with residents living near Kingsway Business Park in the coming weeks. Officers from RDA and the Council will also be on hand to answer residents’ queries.

A formal planning application will be submitted for consideration by Rochdale Council’s Planning Sub Committee. If approved, ASDA would join a growing list of occupiers on Kingsway.