Norfolk’s
premier fruit and vegetable merchant, D&F McCarthy Limited, has selected
Broadland Business Park as the location of its new distribution centre.
Construction of the new 2000m2 facility will begin on Memorial
Way early February 2009 and be ready for
occupation by the end of the year.
Founded in 1877, McCarthys is a
fifth generation family business that has grown to Norfolk’s leading
independent supplier of fresh fruit and vegetables to shops and restaurants
in the region, with a £10m turnover. The company was awarded Wholesaler of
the Year in 2008.
Managing director, Martin
McCarthy, said: “We have been at our current city centre location for 40
years and during that time our business has changed immeasurably. We have
outgrown the premises and our focus has shifted from cash and carry to
mainly distribution.
“Finding new, larger premises that
would enable us to expand, explore new food service avenues and offer us
excellent road links has been something we’ve been planning and saving for
over many years. We chose Broadland Business Park because it is the perfect
location and a very prestigious local site. We wanted to be part of that.
With the A47 on our doorstep we will have easy access to all major routes in
the region, enabling us to continue to improve our distribution network to
existing and new customers.
“By moving to Broadland Business
Park we will also be able to use our fleet of trucks and vans more
efficiently. Our entire 45-strong workforce is moving to the new site and
with the development of new product lines we expect to create as many as 10
new jobs in the first five years.”
Simon Radford, chief executive of
KBC Asset Management, advisers to Broadland Unit Trust, said: “We are
delighted to welcome another leading Norfolk company to Broadland Business
Park. McCarthys joins other industrial and warehouse occupiers who have been
attracted by the superb working environment and excellent road links.”
James Allen, of agents Roche
Chartered Surveyors, commented: “Broadland Business Park is a popular choice
for companies who are looking for prestige office or industrial
accommodation with superb road access. Demand for good sites remains strong
even at this stage in the economic cycle. The conclusion of this transaction
falls hard on the heels of completion of new developments for City Link and
the Drivers Standards Agency.”
