Couriers Yodel have commenced operations at Symmetry Park in Halsnead Garden Village.

Yodel now occupy a new 161,900 sq ft logistics facility in the south of the Garden Village, on the site of the former Cronton Colliery.

Yodel agreed a 15-year lease at Symmetry Park with logistics developers Tritax Symmetry.

Tritax Symmetry also has outline planning consent in place from Knowsley Council for a further 838,100 sq ft of employment space, on a site largely unused since Cronton Colliery’s closure in 1984.

The new depot features the latest in automation technology and has potential to double Yodel’s capacity in the North West. Alongside the latest automation, Yodel is investing in people and final mile infrastructure at the depot. When fully operational, it will handle thousands of parcels a day serving customers across the region.

Built by GMI Construction Group to a Net Zero Carbon standard, the new depot features solar panels and EV charging points. It is also on target to achieve a BREEAM Excellent rating for the success the construction has had in minimising pollution and protecting the surrounding habitat.

Mike Hancox, Chief Executive Officer of Yodel, said: “We are delighted to have opened our new depot. This investment builds on our existing presence in the region, which will support our retail clients and their customers, ensuring we can continue to meet demands as the ecommerce market continues to grow.”

The employment site at Halsnead Garden Village is forecast to create around 1,000 new jobs and provide a major annual revenue boost to the local economy.

Once complete Halsnead Garden Village will be the largest combined housing and employment development in the Liverpool City Region, delivering approximately 1,600 new, quality homes and at least 22.5 hectares of employment land.

Halsnead Garden Village will also provide 33 hectares of new greenspaces and a new, 28 hectare Country Park.