300 new jobs at Burnley distribution centre

The 543,620 square foot centre is to be used by Exertis, one of Europe’s largest and fastest-growing technology distribution and specialist service providers, and will see 300 jobs created.

Site work follows the company concluding what is believed to be the biggest distribution deal in the North-Eest so far this year with Eshton, the Leeds-based property investment and development specialist delivering the park.

Due for completion in May 2016, the building will contain a 433,946 square foot warehouse, two mezzanine floors totalling 66,478 square feet and 43,196 square feet of office space.

It is anticipated that 510 Exertis staff, currently based seven miles away at Altham Business Park, will relocate to the site with this number increasing to 800 staff when the site is fully operational, which is expected to be by early 2017.

Gerry O’Keeffe, Exertis UK and Ireland managing director, said: “We’re very excited to see work under way at Burnley Bridge Business Park. The new centre will greatly assist us in our mission of helping customer and vendor partners access an ever-improving range of services and opportunities, which drive their businesses forward, by allowing us to continue expanding our distribution operations.”

Launched 18 months ago, Government-backed Burnley Business Park is a strategic 70-acre development, at junction 9 of the M65. When complete, it will provide 680,000 square feet of industrial and distribution space and is expected to create 1,400 jobs.

James Chapman, managing director, Eshton, said: “It’s great to see construction of the Exertis distribution centre underway. This is physical proof not only of Burnley Bridge Business Park’s potential but how the commercial property sector is bouncing back. We are experiencing a surge in enquiries, which reflects the increasing demand in the area for high quality space and excellent links to the motorway network.”

Existing occupants at Burnley Bridge Business Park include: catering wholesaler Birchall Food Service; Townsend Music, Equinox Building Services and YESSS Electrical.