M&S opens new distribution centre in Bradford

Marks & Spencer today officially opens its new 1.1 million square foot distribution centre in Bradford.

The centre will be opened by Sir Stuart Rose, chairman of Marks & Spencer, and the leader of Bradford Council, Councillor Ian Greenwood.

The largest warehouse in the M&S network and one of the biggest in the UK, it will serve all M&S stores with furniture products and store equipment and, from next year, ambient food (non-refrigerated food, e.g. biscuits, cereal, tins).

The centre will employ over 1,200 people when it is fully operational. It has been developed with Plan A (M&S’ eco and ethical plan) in mind. The building is carbon neutral, has achieved BREEAM (the leading and most widely used environmental assessment method for buildings) Excellent and M&S has invested in a nature programme surrounding the site which has seen nearly 400 native trees planted, the creation of two ponds and new wetland areas.

Darrell Stein, M&S’ logistics and IT director, said: “This is an exciting day for our business. Bradford will deliver better service and better availability for our customers and it is a key part of our strategy to prepare our supply chain for the future.

"As an area, Bradford has fantastic transport links, a rich pool of resource and talent and has provided us with the support to deliver a facility to be proud of. We’re delighted to be here and look forward to a bright future in West Yorkshire.”

The warehouse is part of ProLogis Park, a 90 acre business site just off the M606, that is currently being developed by ProLogis, .

Construction work was carried out by Northampton-based Winvic and operations are being run by logistics specialist Wincanton. A quarter of the building's materials were sourced locally. This includes the steel frame and the rain water tank which were both manufactured in Bradford.