Drinks distributor makes the move to bigger base

DRINKS distributor Matthew Clark Wholesale is relocating to a Wetherby industrial estate, and investing in the construction of a major warehouse facility.

The Thorp Arch Estate near Wetherby will be the home of Matthew Clark’s 62,925 sq ft warehouse.

Building work is set to commence in January 2016, and the site is due for completion in the summer.

Planners at Leeds City Council backed the plans to move the distributor’s base from Derwent Valley Industrial Estate in Dunnington, near York.

It has been based there for 15 years, and is transferring all 90 jobs to the Wetherby site.

Thorp Arch Estate, a former Royal Ordinance wartime munitions factory, has demolished three former units with a combined area of 93, 614 sq ft, to make way for the warehouse.

The distribution warehouse will feature nine dock levellers and 6,350 sq ft of office space.

Matthew Clark’s regional managing director, Ian Gordon, says: “I’m delighted to be relocating our regional operations to this new, purpose-built facility. Our business has grown dramatically during the past few years which has meant that we are unable to continue to operate from our existing site.

“Our new warehouse will enable us to continue to offer our customers industry leading service and the best selection of our award-winning range of drinks.

“This new development paves the way for the next phase of growth of the Matthew Clark business.”

Director of Wharfedale Property Management, which manages the estate for owner, Rockspring Hanover Property Unit Trust, Tim Munns, said: “Attracting Matthew Clark Wholesale Ltd is another significant coup for Thorp Arch Estate as we continue to develop one of the most dynamic business communities in Yorkshire.

“As with many of our tenants, Matthew Clark has chosen to relocate to Thorp Arch Estate due to our proximity to the A1 and national motorway network. This is one of the most significant industrial property deals in Yorkshire this year and reinforces the estate’s ideal location equidistant between Leeds, York and Harrogate.”

Matthew Clark Wholesale Ltd is headquartered in Bristol, and supplies more than 16,000 hospitality venues in the UK.