Waitrose has announced plans to establish a substantial new distribution centre in Bristol, marking its first logistics facility in the South West region. This 360,000-square-foot hub, located at Mountpark’s Bristol 360 site in Avonmouth, is scheduled to open by the end of 2026. It will serve around 50 existing Waitrose stores and has the capacity to support additional new outlets.
This multimillion-pound investment comes shortly after Waitrose revealed a new store development as part of Bristol’s Brabazon project, set to launch in 2027, as well as an upcoming convenience store in The Arches, Bristol, later this year.
Waitrose anticipates that the new distribution centre will help reduce its supply chain carbon emissions by approximately 2,225 tonnes annually, contributing to the company’s ambitious targets of achieving net zero carbon by 2035 and becoming fossil fuel free by 2030.
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Alison Maffin, Supply Chain Director at Waitrose, emphasized the importance of this investment, stating, “This is a critical step in modernizing our supply chain and building the capacity required for our planned growth.” She highlighted that the new facility will improve service levels for South West customers, streamline supply operations, reduce operating costs, and cut carbon emissions. The sustainable design features of Mountpark’s Bristol 360 make it an ideal location for Waitrose’s future logistics needs.
Waitrose is currently in the process of selecting a logistics partner to manage the site, and will collaborate closely with them to equip the facility with the necessary infrastructure.
Bart Holt-Smith, Director of Capital Markets and Development at Mountpark, expressed his enthusiasm, commenting, “Waitrose’s commitment to Bristol 360 is a strong endorsement of our ability to meet the standards of modern logistics, from operational performance to environmental responsibility. We are proud to partner with such a reputable brand and look forward to supporting their continued success in the region.”
Presently, Waitrose operates four regional distribution centres across the UK—in Aylesford, Bracknell, Brinklow, and Leyland—that supply its stores, along with three national distribution centres located in Milton Keynes, Greenford (London), and Reading. Additionally, two fulfilment centres in Greenford and Coulsdon handle online orders through Waitrose.com.