Waitrose has announced a multi-million pound investment in a 360,000sq ft distribution centre at Mountpark’s Bristol 360 to better serve customers in the south west of England.
The site, which will be the retailer’s first distribution centre in the region, will open towards the end of 2026 making deliveries to around 50 of the supermarket’s existing shops, with the capacity to support new
Waitrose is working on plans to open new convenience and full-line stores throughout the UK. Last month, the retailer announced that a shop will be built at Brabazon in north Bristol, which is expected to open in 2027, and later this year a new convenience store will open in The Arches, Bristol.
Mountpark’s Bristol 360, is a modern logistics site with many energy efficient and sustainable features, including over 1,200 solar panels. Waitrose estimates that the south west site will enable it to reduce annual mileage within its supply chain by 2,225 tonnes of CO2 per year, helping it meet its target of being net zero carbon by 2035 and fossil fuel free by 2030.
Alison Maffin, Waitrose’s supply chain director, said: “This multi-million pound investment is an important step in modernising our supply chain and setting us up to build the capacity needed for our growth plans. It will enable us to better serve our customers in the region, more efficiently supply our existing shops and reduce our operating costs and carbon emissions. The modern and sustainable features of Mountpark’s Bristol 360 make it an excellent fit for our business.”
Bart Holt-Smith, director, capital markets and development for Mountpark, added: “Waitrose’s commitment to Mountpark Bristol 360 is a strong endorsement of our ability to meet the demands of modern logistics from commercial performance to environmental responsibility. We’re proud to be working with a brand of Waitrose’s calibre and delighted that our shared commitment to sustainability and quality aligns so closely. We look forward to welcoming this iconic British retailer and supporting its continued success in the region.”
Waitrose will now select a logistics supplier to run the site on their behalf and work with them to equip the site to be a modern warehouse that facilitates the retailer’s needs now and in the future.
Waitrose currently uses four regional distribution sites across the UK (Aylesford, Bracknell, Brinklow and Leyland) to fulfill shop orders, and three national distribution centres in Milton Keynes, Greenford in London, and Reading. It also has two fulfilment centres in Greater London – Greenford and Coulsdon from where it delivers online customer orders purchased through Waitrose.com.
Bristol 360 is part of Mountpark’s expanding UK portfolio of Grade A logistics developments and is
located at Central Park, Avonmouth, one of the south west’s most strategically significant distribution
hubs. The forthcoming M49 Junction will further enhance connectivity, providing Bristol 360 with improved access to the UK’s motorway and freight networks, and reinforcing its long-term value as a distribution base.
The facility has been rated BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ and holds an EPC A+ certification. Designed with sustainability and employee wellbeing in mind, Bristol 360 includes features such as a roof terrace, landscaped gardens, and extensive ribbon glazing to maximise natural light.
