Peel Ports Group has signed food and drink logistics firm Culina Group as the first major tenant at its National Import Centre under development on the tri-modal Port Salford site.
The 280,000 sq ft warehouse will be completed by April 2016 and fully operational by the end of 2016.
Located adjacent to the Manchester Ship Canal, Port Salford will enable direct vessel access from the new Liverpool2 terminal at the Port of Liverpool being developed by Peel Ports.
The first phase of development comprises 150 acres. Further plans are in preparation for 4m sq ft of development opportunities across 250 acres in Phase 2.
Some 1.6m sq ft of warehousing is planned at Port Salford.
The announcement follows the confirmation of detailed planning permission for the warehouse unit, which Salford city council granted at a meeting on 19 March.
Peel Ports Group chief executive Mark Whitworth said: “We are delighted to welcome Culina Group as the anchor tenant at the National Import Centre.
“Its presence as a market-leading logistics organisation, handling the supply chain requirements of some of the world’s biggest, best and most recognisable food and drink companies, will act as a catalyst to attract more logistics providers to the area.”
Culina Group chief executive Thomas Van Mourik said: “Culina Port Salford will give us a real strategic foothold in the North West, enabling us to manage the growth of our existing clients, bring even more new business on board and create a substantial number of jobs in the region.”
Amendments to the existing application to allow the operation of the Culina Group building prior to final completion of the support road and rail network leading to the site were also approved.
Port Salford is being developed by Peel Ports Group’s sister company Peel Land and Property.
