Located in Penrith, the depot features a 21,357 sq. ft. ambient centre and 5,078 sq. ft. freezer development, which will service a variety of customers in the region, including Centre Parcs and Beacon Hill School.
As well as transferring local staff previously employed at the Blakemore Cash and Carry – from whom Bidfood acquired the site - to the team, the company is looking to fill further warehouse, office and driver positions as well as working with local cheese and meat suppliers to offer customers nation-wide local Cumbrian produce.
The new depot will also offer a click and collect and same day delivery option, to help “streamline” Bidfood’s customer services.
Bidfood chief executive, Norman Wemyss, said: “Having started my foodservice career many years ago in Carlisle, I understand the desire that customers have to trade with wholesalers who are truly embedded within the local community.
“Whether that is through involvement in local projects, providing employment for local people, or supplying locally-sourced products.
“In order for Bidfood to continue to meet local caterers’s needs, it’s vital for us to offer a truly local service, with the majority of our depots no more than 80 miles away from our customers. The investment into the new Penrith depot will help us to continue to deliver this.”
Alan Joyce, general manager at the Penrith depot, added: “It is an exciting time for Bidfood with the opening of its new Penrith depot. Penrith is strategically placed, so that we can improve our service offering into the surrounding areas of Keswick, Windermere, Carlisle, Workington and Penrith.”