Brewer moves distribution to multi-million pound A14 site

The 150-strong distribution workforce will move from its current base in the town to the new facility three miles down the road off the A14 at Suffolk Park in Fortress Way.

The team is expected to move in during the summer of 2023 - once the inside of the building has been fitted out to suit the company's requirements. 

Workers were told they would be tranferring to the new unit - which is double the size of their present home - at a briefing on Friday, November 18.

All other operations - including its brewery, packaging and head office operations - will remain in their current locations in the town and are unaffected, the company said.

Suffolk Park - now home to a host of big name operators - is owned by property developer Jaynic, which is also working with Mid Suffolk District Council on Gateway 14, another giant business park further east on the A14 at Stowmarket.

Greene King - which has now signed a lease on the SP160 warehouse with Jaynic - said the multi-million pound move follows "significant growth" over the years - coupled with an older building which was "showing its age".

More than 20m pints pass through its current distribution centre off Cullum Road every month headed for destinations UK-wide.

The current building was vulnerable to adverse weather conditions, it said. The new distribution centre will allow it to maintain its high levels of operational excellence and reduce its environmental impact, it added.

Greene King brewing and brands managing director Matt Starbuck said: "We’re pleased to announce this multi-million-pound investment in the area as we move the distribution part of our business to Suffolk Park.

"Our new distribution centre will be a more sustainable, purpose-built structure providing a modern and improved space for our teams with a reduced environmental impact. 

"This is a positive change for Greene King, highlighting our commitment to investing in our hometown where we are a major Suffolk business employing hundreds of local people.

"We’re proud of our Bury St Edmunds heritage and continue to brew our range of award-winning beers in our iconic Westgate Brewery."

Jaynic development boss Ben Oughton said they were "absolutely delighted" to have let one of their newest buildings on Suffolk Park to Greene King - a long established employer in Bury St Edmunds and is known throughout the UK.

Greene King said "a number of plans" are being considered for the existing distribution centre once it is vacated.

It was looking at how it can best use this space to continue developing its business for the future, it said.