Work begins on warehouse and office extension for 100-year-old Yorkshire firm

Work has begun on a new warehouse and office extension which will enable a 100-year-old business to consolidate its Yorkshire workforce to one location.

Ripon-based e-commerce and distribution company Hemingways is working together with contractor Lindum to build a 3,600 square metre add-on to its existing operations centre at Barker Business Park, near the village of Melmerby.

The new extension will run along the rear elevation of the existing building in Barker Business Park, where Hemingways has had a presence for more than 20 years. To the south, will be new open-plan offices, a staff hub area and a new staff and visitor car park.

Hemingways’ managing director, Andrew Johnson, said: “This development represents our company’s largest single capital investment and supports our ambitious growth plans as we move into our second century of trading.

“The new facility will provide much increased capacity whilst offering our employees a modern, contemporary and attractive working environment. We are delighted to be working with Lindum on this project.”

Hemingways’ operations include corporate and consumer gift sales for Mondelēz confectionery brands such as Cadbury; white label gift card and pre-pay solutions for more than 60 UK and international retailers; and technology platforms used by global retail brands.

Lindum secured the work after being recommended to Hemingways’ agent by one of its regular subcontractors.

Lindum quantity surveyor Kieran Bond, who is based at the company’s offices in Elvington, near York, said: “The initial meeting went well and we were asked to negotiate the work directly. We are really grateful to our subcontractor for the introduction and it’s a reminder to us all that being a fair employer is just as important as doing a good job for customers.

“We are continuing to work closely with the team at Hemingways to deliver an extension that meets their requirements while managing the constraints of a ‘live’ production factory.”