See inside Stowmarket’s new The Range warehouse at Gateway 14 which will create 1,600 jobs
A new 1.17million square foot warehouse for a garden and homeware retail store was unveiled today after building work began 39 weeks ago.
The Range’s warehouse, at Gateway 14 in Stowmarket, will create 1,600 jobs - which include forklift truck drivers, order picking, loading and dispatching, HR and health and safety roles, catering staff and drivers.
The site was chosen because of its close proximity to the Port of Felixstowe, as well as offering the ability to serve The Range stores in the South, South-East, East of England and the East Midlands.
It is hoped the warehouse will see its first operation in the spring of 2024, after a fit-out process which will continue until late summer. This will be a phased approach and parts of the warehouse will be released when the fit out processes are complete.
Tony George, head of supply chain at The Range, said: “It’s thrilling. We were here in January when the first spade went in the ground and here were are just before the end of November with an excellent building delivered on time which helps us deliver our supply chain strategy.
“It’s all gone according to plan. It will be great to see the fit-out completed and start to operate in the spring of next year.”
As an incentive to staff, there will also be a gym, canteen and a bus which can transport 76 people, as well as bike racks and electric vehicle charging stations.
Cllr Andrew Mellen, Mid Suffolk District Council leader, said: “It’s really exciting to finally see the building open – it’s gone up remarkably quickly.
“It’s going to make a real difference to the local economy and the local job market.
“It is also the first business to come to Gateway 14 – with the site taking shape as a major landmark for business and innovation in the east.
“I am really pleased that the building has been constructed with high environmental standards, as we want this whole development to be an exemplar of good, sustainable practice.”
The site, which is part of the wider Gateway 14 development owned by Mid Suffolk District Council, was developed by partner Jaynic, and work was carried out by contractor Winvic Construction Ltd.
Gateway 14 chairman, Sir Christopher Haworth, said that progress has been made in other parts of the Gateway 14 site.
He said: “We’ve put in all the infrastructure. The Range warehouse takes up about 40 per cent of the site.
“We had a little bit of a hiatus about a year ago with some people looking at the site and then not going for it, but now things are really starting to move forward again – one transaction is in solicitor’s hands, we’re talking to several other occupiers and we hope very soon to be able to announce that we’ve got new occupiers coming on to the park.”
He also added that there will also be a skills and innovation centre where new, small businesses can occupy space. The centre will also work with educational organisations to upskill the local workforce and offer apprenticeships.
