Construction work has started on Greggs’ new national distribution centre at Symmetry Park in Kettering.
Representatives from the food-to-go retailer as well as Northamptonshire County Council and main contractor TSL Projects joined supply chain infrastructure firm Tritax Big Box Developments (TBBD) at the site last week for a steel signing ceremony.
The new 311,551 sq ft facility is expected to be built by this September, with it becoming fully operational by 2027. It is located at Junction 9 of the A14 and has been designed to achieve a minimum of BREEAM ‘Very Good’ standard, an EPC A rating and meet Net Zero Carbon in Construction requirements.
Plans for the site were revealed by Greggs last summer, while TBBD has since secured planning permission for an additional 100,000 sq ft of floor space for future expansion.
“We’re incredibly excited to bring our people on site for the first time and see our new distribution centre start to take shape,” commented Greggs supply chain director Kuldip Bains, who recently joined from Bakkavor to take over the role from the retiring Gavin Kirk.
“Only by investing in our people and in our assets will we achieve our growth ambitions of increasing our number of shops from 2,600 to in excess of 3,500 and increase our ability to directly supply ambient and chilled products to our customers,” added Bains.
Speaking about the Kettering development, TBBD director Jonathan Wallis said: “Greggs is a highly valued client and we are thrilled to be working with them to expand and further their expansion plans. The project demonstrates the benefits of investing in sites, bringing infrastructure and jobs to the local area.”
Greggs has recovered from a weather-related slowdown in sales growth around the turn of the year, with its latest trading update reporting a 7.4% rise in revenue, hitting £784m for the 20 weeks to 17 May 2025. The bakery chain confirmed a strong pipeline for the rest of the year, leaving it confident of achieving a target of between 140 and 150 net openings in 2025.
As of 17 May, its operates a total of 2,638 sites nationwide (2,077 company-managed shops and 561 franchised units). Further supporting is estate expansion is a new frozen product manufacturing and logistics facility in Derby expected to come online in late 2026.
No comments yet