Work has started on a major medical distribution centre at Wakefield Hub; a 260,000 sq. ft. unit for, PHOENIX Group that will create between 150 and 300 jobs and serve the NHS and pharmacies across the North of England.
The building features 22 dock level loading bays and seven level access doors and will be highly energy efficient, incorporating Solar PV and a car park equipped with 46 electric charging bays.
The wider site will include extensive landscaped areas and a balancing pond, with improvements to adjacent bridleways.
Wakefield Hub is being delivered in joint venture by HBD and Yorkcourt – spanning 200-acres, is one of the largest regeneration projects of its kind in the North of England.
The facility will be PHOENIX Group’s 14th UK depot, which already deliver more than 250 million packs of medicines each year. It employs 5,500 people who provide support to the 25 million patients who visit our owned and supported pharmacies each year.
Steve Anderson, PHOENIX Group Managing Director, said “Over the last few years, we have seen an outstanding growth in customer demand for our core services outpacing the market: Wakefield is a prime example of how we are committed to investing in the future by expanding our UK-wide operational capabilities to offer all our customers across the country the best possible service they need, want and deserve.”
Tom Wheldon, Director and Head of Region at HBD, said: “It’s fantastic to see the new unit for PHOENIX starting on site – its move to Wakefield is a huge vote of confidence in the city as a place to invest and in the strength of Yorkshire’s regional economy.”
Scott Mackie, Director at Yorkcourt, said: “We’re excited to see work beginning on the new unit for PHOENIX; the latest addition to Wakefield Hub. It’s an important scheme for Wakefield, regenerating a 200-acre site and creating significant new job opportunities.”
The unit is expected to complete later this year and will create around 150 construction jobs during the build programme. GMI Construction has been appointed to deliver the building.