Foodservice operator Bidfood has increased its presence in the north of England with the opening of its new Penrith depot.
Bidfood acquired the Cumbrian depot from cash & carry rival Blakemore after conducting talks in December 2017.
The depot holds a 21,357 sq ft ambient centre and 5,078 sq ft of freezer development. A customer click & collect service and a same-day delivery option is also available.
All current depot staff have transferred to Bidfood and there are plans to create further warehousing, office support and driving jobs at the site.
Bidfood will serve a variety of regional customers, including Center Parcs and Beacon Hill School. It will also collaborate with local cheese and meat suppliers to offer local Cumbrian produce to its national customers.
“Having started my foodservice career many years ago in Carlisle, I understand the desire that customers have to trade with wholesalers who are truly embedded within the local community,” said Bidfood COO Norman Wemyss. “Whether that is through involvement in local projects, providing employment for local people, or supplying locally sourced products.
“In order for Bidfood to continue to meet local caterers’ needs, it’s vital for us to offer a truly local service, with the majority of our depots no more than 80 miles away from our customers. The investment into the new Penrith depot will help us to continue to deliver this.”
Bidfood Penrith depot general manager Alan Joyce added: “These are exciting times for Bidfood with the opening of our new Penrith depot.
“Penrith is strategically placed so that we can improve our service offering into the surrounding areas of Keswick, Windermere, Carlisle, Workington and Penrith.”
AF Blakemore & Son has put all of its 12 remaining cash & carry depots up for sale this week after months of speculation. The Grocer understands that Bestway has pulled out of negotiations for the sites, while a number of potential buyers, including Costco and Dhamecha, have also ruled out acquiring the depots.
No comments yet