An online grocery retailer is set to create up to 500 jobs after taking on a new distribution unit in Fengate, Peterborough.

Ocado has taken on the Darlows Business Centre in Fengate which is set to create 230 jobs potentially rising as high as 500.

Ocado receive on average, 167,000 orders a week but their closest distribution centre that services Cambridgeshire is located in Hatfield, nearly 65 miles away.

Richard Jones, director at Barker Storey Matthews, said: “We are delighted to announce that Ocado will be joining the city of Peterborough. “This is a fantastic piece of news for employment within the area, especially considering the site that Ocado has taken was formerly City Link who went into administration in January 2015 at a loss of 50 jobs.

“The letting has been in place for some time, however Ocado has been involved in an extensive fit-out of the property with the announcement delayed in order to coincide with the commencement of operations on site.”

John Dadge, director of planning at Barker Storey Matthews, said: “We would particularly like to praise Peterborough City Councils planning department for the swift resolution of planning matters.

“There were a number of issues that needed resolving at the last moment and Peterborough City Council pulled out all of the stops to ensure the deal was not delayed.”

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