Co-op opens new distribution centre at Dalcross

A £6 million distribution centre that will help the Co-op expand its presence across the north has officially opened for business.

The 12,000 sq ft Dalcross Distribution Centre at Inverness Airport Business Park (IABP) will service the Co-op’s network of stores in the region.

It will also help service the convenience store operator’s ongoing £28 million expansion and renovation plans.

These will see 18 new Co-op store open across Scotland by the end of the year, with a further 20 upgraded to take the total number of stores to 365 and the number of Co-op employees to almost 6000.

The new Dalcross facility currently employs 50 staff.

Andy Perry, logistics director of the Co-op, said: "We’re thrilled to be able to launch our new site at Dalcross – it’s a modern and future-proofed facility which is perfectly placed to support the Co-op’s ever-growing operations in Scotland. Our significant investment in a new distribution centre is also a symbol of our absolute commitment to serving communities in the north of Scotland, as well as a strong indicator of how well our food business is performing in this area."

IABP chairman James Campbell welcomed the new tenant and said: "The speed at which this development has progressed has been hugely impressive, with the Co-op’s project team only arriving onsite in October 2017.

"It’s testament to the Co-op and their contractors for the excellent job that has been done in developing this new 12,000 sq ft distribution centre."