Parcelforce division opens new depot in Chester-le-street

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Parcelforce Worldwide division opens new depot in Chester-le-Street

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/business/news/10697191._/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;?

ABOUT 90 North-East jobs could be created at a new parcel depot.

The Royal Mail Group has opened a base in Chester-le-Street, County Durham, to expand its Parcelforce Worldwide division.

Bosses say the depot can handle up to 30,000 parcels every day and will cover deliveries across Newcastle, Sunderland and Durham.

The company employs 72 people at its existing Gateshead depot, who will move to the new site, but says that number could rise to 162 in the next three years as it increases parcel work.


The move comes as postal workers ballot members on plans for a national strike over the Government's plans to privatise the Royal Mail.

Last month, Royal Mail bosses denied they were looking to leave Darlington after a number of jobs were transferred out of the area and processing and sorting of mail was switched from the town's delivery office to Gateshead.

Peter Fuller, Parcelforce Worldwide operations director, said the new depot would provide a platform to serve increasing delivery demands.

He said the 7,777 sq metre depot, in Drum Industrial Estate, was four times bigger than its Gateshead base and could handle up to 100 vehicles every day.

He said: “We are delighted to be opening a new Parcelforce Worldwide depot serving the Newcastle, Sunderland and Durham areas as part of our investment to grow our parcels business.

“The creation of up to 90 new jobs over the coming three years will enable us handle more parcels while ensuring we continue to provide a very high level of service to our customers in the area and across the UK.”