1,400 jobs to be created in Bedford with new Aldi and B&M warehouses

More than 1,400 new jobs are set to be created in the Bedford area - after two major new regional distribution centres announced they were to be built in the borough.
Aldi will be building a new distribution centre in BedfordAldi will be building a new distribution centre in Bedford
Aldi will be building a new distribution centre in Bedford

Planning permission has been granted for B&M to construct a one million sq ft distribution centre which will create around 1,000 new jobs, while Aldi’s new 800,000 sq ft distribution centre will create around 400 new jobs.

Both units will become the largest warehouse and distribution centres in the area, surpassing the current largest at Marsh Leys, where 690,000 sqft is occupied by Argos.

Bedford Borough Council has worked with land owners Gallagher Estates on the sites, which will be based in the employment area of Wixams, off the A6 to the south of the Borough.

Mayor Dave Hodgson said: “Attracting new businesses and new jobs is a key priority for the council, and Aldi and B&M’s investment is another major vote of confidence in Bedford Borough.

"These two major facilities will provide a variety of different employment opportunities amongst the 1,400 new jobs. Through the council’s Jobs Hub, we will make sure that local residents can take advantage of the investment and the jobs being created.”

Simon Arora, chief executive of B&M Retail Ltd, said: “Our continued nationwide growth has allowed us to invest approximately £100m in what will be one of the largest distribution facilities in the UK. We are delighted to be coming to Bedford and will be recruiting in 2019 as the building approaches completion.”

And Matthew Barnes, CEO of Aldi UK and IRE, added: “The excellent transport links and infrastructure in the area made it an obvious choice for our new distribution base as we move towards our long-term ambition of 1,000 UK stores by 2022. We look forward to starting work on the site in due course, and will keep the community updated on developments and recruitment opportunities.”