Greene King, the prominent brewer and pub chain, has announced its plan to invest £23 million in a new food and beverage depot situated in Middleton, Greater Manchester. This significant investment is part of a 15-year lease agreement, with Greene King’s trusted logistics partner GXO taking charge of the operations at the expansive 290,000ft² site.
According to GXO, the new depot is projected to handle up to 240,000 cases of food and non-food items, as well as 465 tonnes of beverages on a weekly basis. The primary objective of this strategic move is to streamline the business supply chain processes by consolidating food and drink stocks that are currently managed across three separate depots into a single centralized location.
Matt Starbuck, the managing director of Greene King brewing and group supply chain, emphasized the company’s commitment to enhancing operations in the North West region. He stated, “This investment will allow us to upgrade our outdated facilities and create a more conducive work environment for our team members. People will be at the forefront of the design and planning process for the new site.”
With the £23 million investment, Greene King intends to revamp and modernize the existing site in Middleton, incorporating solar panels covering 8,000m² to generate a targeted 1.2 million kWH per year. The refurbishment of the current site is estimated to take approximately 12 months, with the depot scheduled to commence drink deliveries in May 2025 and food deliveries in early 2026. To align with this timeline, the lease for Greene King’s current food service depot at Ocean’s Estate, Trafford Park, has been extended until May 2026.
Chris Hyde, the managing director of convenience and food services at GXO, expressed his enthusiasm for the 12-year partnership with Greene King and the opportunity to support the company’s growth. He highlighted the importance of transitioning operations to a new state-of-the-art facility in Middleton, which will not only enhance productivity but also align with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments.
