An agile workforce and some of the best physical and digital connectivity in the UK at an affordable cost, logistics and distribution specialists are continuing to invest, and re-invest, in the city.
Peterborough is on doorstop of the A1, with easy access to the M11, A47 and A16 linking to sea ports and opening up the rest of the country. There are three freight rail interchanges within an hour’s drive, plus Stansted and Luton airports under 90 minutes’ drive away.
Our land value is half that of Milton Keynes and 80% of Northampton, but comes with full-fibre gigabit connectivity that’s making it possible for logistics giants like Amazon, IKEA, URBN, Yearsley Group, and Lawrence David to make on-site automation and off-site transport management a reality. These five names alone account for around 10% of employment in the sector.
Across Greater Peterborough
9
million customers within a 1.5 hour drive
21,000
employees working in distribution and logistics
2,720
distribution and logistics businesses
The Gateway Peterborough industrial park, just off the A1, is the latest logistics success story for the region. This 180 acre distribution and manufacturing park has only been open for three years and is nearly full. Strategically located immediately adjacent to Junction 17 of the A1(M) the entire site has planning consent for 4 million sq ft of industrial and distribution buildings.
Most recently, Lidl has created 400 jobs with the opening of its £70 million distribution centre at Gateway Peterborough. This is the company’s largest distribution centre and is part of the company’s £1.45 billion investment in Great Britain. Lidl joins the likes of Kingsley Beverages, DSV Logistics, Coloplast, URBN, Yearsley Group, E-Leather, Smart Garden, and DPD, who are also operating at the park.
Logistics has underpinned the success of the area’s 3,700 agri-tech and manufacturing companies who rely on the well-developed transport and digital infrastructure to ship, track and store goods. Since the announcement of the UK leaving the EU, Peterborough has become a vital hub for businesses keen to service their customers directly. Dutch paint manufacturer, Anker Stuy, moved to the city for just that reason in 2019. In 2020, intimate healthcare provider, Coloplast, expanded their operations in Peterborough to incorporate their UK headquarters and a new state-of-the-art warehousing facility.
With so much cross-sector demand the region is home to controlled-temperature storage specialists and smart warehouses, that are improving supply chain visibility. As e-commerce grows, storage and warehousing is coming under increasing demand.
£2.7 billion
enhancement to road and rail infrastructure over five years.
£137.7 billion
The value of Ecommerce has more than doubled in value 2012-2017
142
languages spoken in Peterborough
Next Steps...
To find out more about what Peterborough has to offer, talk to Opportunity Peterborough
