Europe’s most efficient cold store facility taking is shape in eastern England following a £130 million investment by cold storage specialist Magnavale. The huge new site – capable of holding 101,000 pallets – is taking shape at Easton, near Grantham, in Lincolnshire.
Work started last September and the whole development should be ready for use by the end of 2024. Magnavale said it will be fully automated, and will operate using 100 per cent renewable energy. The business, which is based in Chesterfield, is one of the UK’s biggest temperature-controlled food storage and value-added service specialists, with four main sites.
It provides a range of services for its clients in the food sector, allowing manufacturers and retailers to cut costs by buying in services such as blast freezing, tempering, packing and date-coding.
The huge facility is going up next to an existing 44,000 pallet cold store located on the same site.
A spokesman for the business said: “Magnavale are excited that the progress of its Easton development is progressing rapidly.
“Since breaking ground in September 2022, the company has achieved significant milestones, positioning the development to become Europe's most efficient cold store.
“McClaren have completed the main concrete slab, and low bay cladding and steelwork for the staircase and office are now complete.
“Construction has also begun on the high bay automation, and the high bay cladding, which including the cranes, are currently being erected within the store's steelwork lattice. The electrical infrastructure and fire suppression system are also making steady progress.
“The refrigeration and oxygen reduction plantrooms, essential elements of the cold store, are under construction and nearing completion.
“Magnavale are pleased with the progress made so far and remains confident that they will complete construction in Q4 2024.”
