Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, Steve Rotheram, alongside key stakeholders, embarked on a tour of the newly completed logistics facility at Symmetry Park Merseyside, a development spearheaded by Tritax Symmetry.
The sprawling 161,900ft2 facility, constructed for Yodel, has reached practical completion and is reported to be highly sustainable.
Tritax Symmetry’s director David Travis and development director Kate Howe led Mayor Rotheram through the meticulously designed complex, situated on the revitalised grounds of the former Cronton Colliery. The visit offered a glimpse into how the once-abandoned site is now poised to generate 1,146 permanent full-time employment roles and 1,035 construction jobs during the construction phases.
Amidst the celebratory atmosphere, Tritax Symmetry unveiled plans for further expansion, including the submission of a reserved matters application for two additional units and the approval of unit two. This endeavour plans to encompass 768,000ft2 of logistics space across three buildings.
Unit one was the inaugural project to materialise at Symmetry Park Merseyside. Securing a 15-year lease agreement with Yodel in 2022, the facility reportedly ‘embodies Tritax Symmetry’s dedication to fostering enduring partnerships and driving economic growth’.
Designed by UMC Architects, the facility achieved BREEAM Excellent certification and adhered to Net Zero Carbon in Construction standards. The approval of unit two, coupled with pending applications for units three and four, signals a phase of dynamic expansion, poised to galvanise Merseyside’s industrial landscape.
Symmetry Park Merseyside reportedly also plays a pivotal role in Knowsley Council’s ambitious Halsnead Garden Village project, a holistic endeavour encompassing residential development, expansive green spaces and employment opportunities.
The project has received £12 million funding from the Mayor Rotheram and the Combined Authority.
Commenting on Symmetry Park, Merseyside, Howe Tritax Symmetry’s development director, said: “By working closely with Knowsley Borough Council and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, we are well underway in creating a business community on this former derelict site, and in doing so, create further investment, more jobs for local people and give back to the communities in which we work. We look forward to bringing forward the next three units on the site in the coming year.”
Layor Rotheram added: “Halsnead Garden Village is one of our city region’s most significant development sites, enabling the creation of much needed homes, jobs and training opportunities for local people, which are expected to boost our region’s economy by more than £40m per year.
“It’s great to see the progress made thanks to our £12m investment and I’m looking forward to watching it develop and, hopefully, flourish into its own vibrant, thriving community.”
Mike Hancox, chief executive officer of Yodel, commented: “We are delighted to have opened our new depot in Huyton, a key step in expanding the business. This investment in the North West builds on our existing presence in the region, which will support our retail clients and their customers, ensuring we can continue to meet demands as the e-commerce market continues to grow.”
