A brand-new automated cold store has been built by food and drink construction expert Clegg Food Projects for the UK’s leading bakery food on the go chain Greggs.

Located between two existing manufacturing units at Greggs’ Balliol Business Park in Newcastle Upon Tyne, the new automated high bay frozen cold store is 32m high and will be used for the bulk storage of frozen products ready for distribution to Greggs stores across the UK, supporting the firm’s growth plans.

Clegg Food Projects was appointed as the principal contactor for project, marking the 20th large scale CAPEX scheme completed for Greggs, with a cumulative value of almost £100 million.

John Moxon, business development director at Clegg Food Projects, said: “We have a great relationship with Greggs and really enjoy working with the team, so we’re delighted to have delivered another successful project.

“Following coordination meetings with the Greggs team and their specialist mechanical systems suppliers and logistics consultants, works started on site in October 2019. The construction sequence was continually updated and modified as details were confirmed, with extensive groundworks and piling installations carried out to cope with the high structure as well as the volume and weight of the products being stored in the building.

“Access routes alongside installation and commissioning plans were also jointly agreed and equipment was installed during the main construction works to meet the overall project timescales and ensure the project ran smoothly.”

The new cold store is a fully ‘lights out process’ facility and will free up space on site as well as enabling efficient and faster delivery of finished goods to be baked in store.

The facility also includes six new loading docks, nine levels of automation, and reduced oxygen fire suppression.

Senior project manager at Greggs, Peter Boughton, said: “We are very pleased with the cold store as it enables us to free up space in the existing facility and improve the distribution efficiency to our stores. Designed with sustainability in mind, this project highlights our commitment to Net Zero Greggs with carbon efficiency considered at every stage of the construction process.

“A first for Greggs, the automated warehouse demonstrates our commitment to innovation and investment in our sites and the business. The Clegg team brings a wealth of knowledge as well as an understanding of our business and our priorities when it comes to the delivery of projects.”

Clegg Food Projects is a national designer and constructor of food manufacturing and distribution facilities with more than 40 years’ experience in the sector. Part of Clegg Group, the firm has worked for a number of household brands, both in the UK and abroad, across a wide range of sectors including bakery, beverages, dairy, fresh and frozen produce and many more.

For further information visit www.cleggfoodprojects.co.uk or follow @CleggFoodP on Twitter.