Work is under way on a new, multimillion pound warehouse to be built just off junction 33 of the M62 motorway in Knottingley. The project is being carried out by main contractor, Caddick Group, and is rumoured to represent the creation of nearly 2,000 jobs in the local area.
The warehouse itself is just a small part of Caddick Group’s £100m scheme of development, dubbed Crosspoint33. At its expected completion in January 2017, it will be owned by retail giant, TK Maxx and operated by specialist logistics investor, Tritax. Upon the move, TK Maxx’s existing warehouse space in Normanton will close and all 461 members of staff will move to the new, purpose-built facility in Knottingley. The site will incorporate a single storey warehouse and processing unit as well as three storeys of office accommodation for use by management and logistics.
Councillor for Economic Growth and Skills, Denise Jeffery, described the project as “absolutely marvellous” for the community and would provide key employment opportunities at its opening. Roger Marsh, Chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) (main sponsor of Crosspoint33) was of the same mind and described Crosspoint33 and, specifically, the new warehouse project as an “important investment” that would help to bring new jobs into the area. He added that it was this critical advantage represented by the build that encouraged LEP to get involved financially. The LEP grant will not only support the construction of TK Maxx’s new warehousing site but also go some way to improving connecting roads and infrastructure nearby as well as creating jobs from which the whole region stands to gain.
Construction of the warehouse is progressing rapidly according to Andrew Murray, Managing Director of Caddick Construction – a subsidiary of Caddick Group. The firm is currently laying roof sheeting and will, after ensuring the building is air- and water-tight, begin the installation of internal floor slabs.
The construction of the warehouse will allow for retrospective extension and renovation in view of TK Maxx’s growing popularity and, indeed, phases two work is believed to include the development of a further 535,000 sq ft of space.
