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Peter Marks, group chief executive of The Co-operative Group, officially opens The Co-operative’s £15 million food distribution centre at Birtley in the North East.
The 280,000 sq ft distribution centre at Drum Road operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week with a fleet of more than 100 large goods vehicles, and processes product orders at the rate of 500,000 cases a week for distribution to 260 Co-operative food stores across the north.
It employs more than 550 people, including drivers, warehouse operators and vehicle maintenance staff, as well as staff working in food retail administration and other parts of The Co-operative business.
“The opening of this multi-million pound state-of-the-art depot marks another high point for The Co-operative Group in 2009. The depot is vital in ensuring our food stores throughout the region continue to give Co-operative customers the high level of product availability and service they expect,” said Marks.
Peter Marks is pictured cutting the ribbon, accompanied by Group colleagues, Trevor Ashworth, director, supply chain (left), Tim Hurrell, managing director, Food Retail (second right) and Colin Smith, distribution manager.