Coop to create hundreds of Scottish jobs

Hundreds of jobs are to be created at a supermarket's new food distribution centre.

The Co-operative Group facility will service the 618 stores in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

It will replace the company's distribution operations in Cumbernauld and Harthill and will employ 1,000 staff, up to 300 of which will be new.

Located at Newhouse, just off the M8 near Glasgow, the 25 million centre will be fully operational by September.

Peter Marks, group chief executive, said: "Newhouse is an excellent location to serve our stores across Scotland and Northern Ireland and is the latest major investment in our logistics network.

"Our new regional distribution centre is also a major investment in and commitment to the local community and will not only provide major employment locally but will also help further boost the local economy for many years to come.

"Newhouse is the latest phase in the ongoing development of our logistics operation nationwide, which at the end of these major changes will mean we will have an efficient and modern logistics network that will reflect The Co-operative's position as one of the UK's big five food retailers."

The Co-Op said it hopes as many staff as possible will transfer from the sites in Cumbernauld and Harthill which will both close later this year.

The new 503,000 sq ft multi-temperature depot will have several energy-saving and recycling features and will receive rail freight as well road freight.