Leicestershire retail giant plans HQ expansion

Next has submitted plans to extend  its headquarters in Enderby, which could extend storage space at the site.

The proposal involves relocating the recycling centre on the site and putting a new storage building in its place.

According to planning documents, the new building would offer a permanent solution to the temporary containers currently utilised for storage across the site and additional space for storing homeware samples and IT equipment.

Planning officers from the council have clarified that it will not function as a distribution centre.

The plans are scheduled for consideration by the Blaby District Council’s planning committee later this week.

Distribution centres for Next are not situated at the Enderby site, but in various locations across the country, such as Doncaster and Bristol.

According to planning officers, the dispatch of products “is not a function of the head office site.”

In addition to storage, the proposed plan includes a collection point for staff to retrieve their orders placed through the company.

A service yard at the rear of the building is also suggested, featuring room for two HGVs to unload and manoeuvre.

While an anticipated reduction of 78 parking spaces is projected, documents reveal that the current utilisation of the car park is low.

Following the pandemic, Next has transitioned to hybrid and remote work models for numerous employees, resulting in fewer individuals commuting to and parking at the site.

Planning officers have assessed the plan as satisfactory and propose that the committee approve the proposal during its meeting scheduled for this Thursday, February 8th.