800 jobs a step closer as retailer progresses with new fulfilment centre

The creation of up to 800 jobs have taken a step closer after Shop Direct, the digital retailer and financial services provider, has completed external building works at Skygate, its new 850,000 sq ft fulfilment centre at East Midlands Gateway near Castle Donington.

The facility will bring distribution and returns for Shop Direct’s Very.co.uk and Littlewoods.com retail brands under one roof for the first time and, according to the company has “significant potential” for future expansion.

Construction began in May last year and the internal fit out and installation of technology is currently underway ahead of Shop Direct taking possession early 2020.

Recruitment is already underway for a number of technical roles and roles in the management of operations, shifts, teams, stock and inventory, with 500 permanent colleagues to be based at Skygate by March 2021. They will be supported by an additional 200 to 300 agency colleagues during peak periods.

Shop Direct says the new facility will contribute an estimated £25m in efficiency savings per year from 2021.

Phil Hackney, chief operating officer at Shop Direct, said: “The completion of Skygate’s external shell is a major milestone in the development of our new fulfilment centre and it’s exciting to see the plans we’ve talked about coming to life.

“The facility will ultimately play a key role in helping us meeting the ever-changing needs of our four million customers and positioning ourselves for ongoing, sustainable growth in the future.

“Recruitment is moving along at pace, with some colleagues already based at Skygate, and we look forward to welcoming many more in the coming months.”