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The Range announces Bristol distribution hub
The Range has announced a new distribution centre at Central Park in Avonmouth, a change from its former plan to open the facility near Chippenham. Opposition from local Wiltshire residents has seen the popular retailer shift the warehouse, set to be the firm’s south England base and the size of 15 Wembley stadiums, to Bristol’s logistics centre.
“We had less opposition and clearly they wanted the investment,” said owner Chris Dawson, explaining the move.
Property advisors JLL say the news “is a further vote of confidence in Bristol and will encourage other national retailers to build similar facilities in the area”.
Paul Baker, director at JLL, said: “The reputation of this area as a first class distribution location has been building year on year, and The Range’s decision to build what will be the largest ever distribution centre in the South West of England is testament to that. The planned new Junction on the M49 will mean transport connections will improve even further, which will make the area even more attractive to investors and occupiers.
“Decisions by rapidly growing retailers like The Range have confirmed the South West as a major distribution location of national significance. It is no longer just about the ‘Golden Triangle’ in the Midlands.
“It’s also great news for the local job market – the centre itself will create over 1,000 jobs. Often warehousing is seen as the poor relation with many local authorities focusing their policies on supporting manufacturing at the expense of distribution but, with job numbers like these, this is a sector that cannot be ignored, not least because the continued success of the retail sector is partly dependent on it.Work on the 55-acre site – close to the location of the planned new M49 junction – is expected to be completed by 2017, creating 1,050 jobs.
The Range plans this year to add a further 35 stores to its existing portfolio of 115.
Photo – Betty Longbottom
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