Giant B&Q distribution centre gets go ahead

Plans for a £77.4m warehouse which will create 550 new jobs in Swindon have been given the go-ahead.

The borough council has approved B&Q's plans to build the distribution centre on The Triangle Site, near South Marston.

The move follows the DIY company's decision to pull out of centres run by third-parties in Runcorn, Coventry, Chepstow and Swindon.

More than 1,000 warehouse jobs are currently at risk at those centres. A further 250 jobs are expected to be created at B&Q's site in Worksop.

The firm has said the changes would improve customer service, reduce transport costs and carbon dioxide emissions.

A B&Q spokesman said the warehouse would cover 796,649 sq ft (74,010 sq m). He said: "The new distribution centre is expected to commence operating from July 2011 and will be fully operational by January 2012."

Source : BBC News