Construction work complete on 543,620 sq ft Burnley warehouse

Work is now complete on a 543,620 sq ft unit at the £70m Burnley Bridge Business Park scheme in Lancashire.

The warehouse, which developer Eshton has said is its biggest ever scheme, was constructed over a 56-week period by main contractor Bowmer & Kirkland.

To build the unit, contractors carried out cut and fill works to level the ground, installing 3,911 steel piles to a depth of up to 16m to stabilise the site before constructing the foundations.

Externally, the project included the construction of a goods yard along with landscaping and planting.

The warehouse and office facility has been handed over to tech distribution firm Exertis, whose fit out contractors are now at work preparing the interiors.

David Singleton, director of Leeds-based Eshton, said: “This unit is big enough to contain five full-sized football pitches and its completion is a major milestone for Exertis, Burnley Bridge Business Park and for Burnley and the M65 corridor.

“The construction method has maximised the potential of the site to create a 24-bay warehouse along with three storey offices and external yard with immediate access to the motorway network via Junction 9 of the M65.”

He continued: “The successful scheme adds to the mixed profile of accommodation and occupiers at the rapidly-expanding development which is also home to YESSS Electrical, Birchall Foodservice, Equinox Building Solutions and Townsend Music.”

Exertis’ managing director for the UK and Ireland, Gerry O’Keeffe, commented: “We represent 200 manufacturers and hold more than 22k product lines in stock, so state-of-the-art warehousing facilities in a location that enables us to access the motorway network quickly and easily are vital to fulfilling our commitment to next day delivery and the highest levels of customer service.

“We have been delighted by the can-do approach of both Eshton and Bowmer & Kirkland throughout the development of our new unit and are looking forward to moving onto site within the coming weeks.”