Home, garden and leisure products retailer The Range is the first company to confirm that it will occupy a unit at Gateway 14 in Stowmarket, Suffolk. It will make a major contribution to the local and regional economy creating an estimated 1,650 new jobs in the area.
Gateway 14 Ltd, wholly owned by Mid Suffolk District Council, has exchanged conditional contracts to develop the c.1.2m sq ft distribution unit with its development partner Jaynic, on a freehold turnkey basis.
The Range is one of the fastest growing retailers in the UK. It has over 200 retail stores nationwide and more than 65,000 products across 16 different departments from Homeware and Furniture to DIY and Art Supplies. A further 100+ retail stores are planned in the coming five years, in addition to its growing online presence. The Range already has two existing major distribution centres in the UK and the new site at Gateway 14 will help meet consumer demand in the South and South East of the country while also supporting operations across the UK.
A reserved matters application will be submitted to Mid Suffolk District Council in July with a proposed start on site in January 2023 and practical completion in the Autumn of 2023, subject to planning. Gateway 14 already has outline planning consent for a 2.36m sq ft mixed-use innovation, business and warehousing scheme, and construction of the site infra-structure is already well underway.
Gateway 14 will provide high specification buildings with sustainability a central feature including EV charging, LED lighting, solar PV, smart energy systems and rainwater harvesting. The development is committed to meeting BREEAM rating of Very Good standard and strive for Excellent wherever possible. This new distribution facility for The Range will be designed to achieve BREEAM Excellent.
Accessibility through and around the development is a key feature with significant walking and cycling routes being integrated along with access to public transport links and local amenities.
Biodiversity on the site is also a priority, with high-quality landscaping, green corridors and nesting boxes all being introduced across the site to support not only the wildlife and ecology but also to create a vibrant, attractive, and healthy working environment for employees.
Plans for The Range site (Plot 4000) is available on the Project Updates page. Once the application has been submitted to the Council, members of the public will be able to provide feedback to the Council.