Couriers Yodel have agreed a 15-year lease on a new logistics site at Symmetry Park in Halsnead Garden Village.

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

Logistics developers Tritax Symmetry secured the new letting on the new unit, which is scheduled for completion in the first half of next year.

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.

Yodel has taken the unit to further improve its distribution network across the North West, with the site excellently placed to access the M62 and M57.

Once complete 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.

Cllr Tony Brennan, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said: “I’m delighted that the first major letting has been secured at Symmetry Park. The employment site will create a significant number of jobs once complete and also generate significant employment opportunities during its construction. This will provide a major boost to the borough’s economy.”

Grant funding of £3.8m has been secured from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority to enable delivery of on-site infrastructure works for Symmetry Park, including delivery of a new access road to the development.

Sarah Chicken, Development Surveyor at Tritax Symmetry, commented: “This letting to Yodel is the successful result of a huge, collaborative effort from both the public and private sector. Working closely with Knowsley Council and securing funding from Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has enabled us to bring this disused site back into use and generate further investment and jobs for the area.

“In terms of the wider activity at Symmetry Park, a reserved matters application has been submitted for approximately 350,000 sq ft across two units which we’ll be looking to deliver on site next year, focusing primarily on the spec unit of 230,000 sq ft. “

Mike Hancox, Chief Executive Officer of Yodel, commented: “This is a very exciting period for Yodel and the new depot in Halsnead Garden Village is an important step in expanding the business, ensuring that we can be more dynamic and fit for purpose. We are happy to be bringing employment to the area and are looking forward to welcoming new colleagues into the team.”

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.