What Is The East Midlands Gateway Project?
The East Midlands Gateway (full name – the SEGRO Logistics East Midlands Gateway) is an “inland port” developed and managed by leading firms SEGRO & Roxhill. The park covers over 700-acres near East Midlands Airport.
When the project was first announced, it was expected to create 7,250 jobs directly within the 6million sqft warehouse space and a further 3,000 jobs indirectly. The construction phase alone created over 900 jobs, developing an entirely new infrastructure and 10 large warehouse buildings.
The East Midlands Gateway project is now complete, transforming the landscape near East Midlands Airport into a strategic hub for logistics, manufacturing, and commerce. This impressive development is poised to play a pivotal role in the UK’s transport network and economic growth.
Businesses at East Midlands Gateway
Several high-profile companies have already committed to the site, making it a key storage, distribution, and logistics location. Key occupiers include:
Amazon: The 500,000 sq ft warehouse development by Amazon is set to create up to 3,300 jobs and confirm its position as one of the major employers in the region. XPO Logistics: Its 700,000 sq ft distribution centre cements the park’s position as a major logistics hub. Shop Direct: The operator of Very and Littlewoods has taken a 555,000 sq ft unit.
Kuehne + Nagel: This global logistics company has a 195,000 sq ft unit for its UK overland operations.
Container storage, HGV parking, and a strategic rail freight terminal at the park’s SRFI, with a capacity to handle up to 16 trains daily, also make it an “inland port” that simplifies supply chain operations.
Infrastructure and Connectivity
The infrastructure at The Gateway is modern and includes:
- A 7km private rail link connecting to the Castle Donington branch freight line.
- Major enhancements to the A453, leading to easier access to the park and its environs.
- 6,000,000 sq ft of logistics space to meet the ever-increasing needs of the supply chain industry.
While the construction was inconvenient for a period of time, the new access roads and infrastructure improvements have greatly increased safety and connectivity.
Impact on Local Businesses
The East Midlands Gateway is expected to generate:
- 7,250 permanent jobs at the park.
- 900 construction jobs during its development.
- 3,000 indirect jobs supporting businesses in the region.
For Castle Donington, all these workers and visitors coming to the town mean an excellent opportunity for local restaurants, bars, shops, and hotels. In this respect, dbs Serviced Accomodation and all those offering accommodation will find their services in demand.
However, parking availability remains a concern. Local authorities may need to expand parking facilities to support the anticipated growth. dbs clients can rest assured that our 24/7 on-site parking is available.
A Strategic Location for Business
The East Midlands is solidifying its status as a vital business hub in the UK. Its central location offers unmatched access to road, rail, and air networks, making it ideal for national and international operations.
A typical example is the Gateway project, which uses modern facilities to attract international companies to the park. The facility was even considered for a new site expansion for Heathrow Airport. To reiterate, this area promises a large logistics and manufacturing base.
A Thriving Business Hub Recognised by dbs for Over 25 Years
dbs recognised Castle Donington and the East Midlands as an excellent business area over 25 years ago, when the first of the dbs business centres opened.
Since then, Castle Donington has seen a tremendous business growth around East Midlands Airport and Trent Lane and now has the government-backed rail hub scheme. It is rewarding to see our foresight was spot on!
Not really surprising, given that Castle Donington is so well connected with the M1, A50, and A42 converging to link nationally, the airport, and the existing rail links.
This offers huge reach and potential to businesses based here, and business-to-business opportunities across three major local cities and three counties.
Also, there is a huge potential workforce, since almost 1 million people live within 30 minutes driving, with a pipeline from 6 universities.
Like East Midlands Gateway, the number of big-name businesses with dbs who see the value and benefit of being in the area, and from our perspective, our serviced offices, meeting rooms, and accommodation means with the new hub attracting more, the area will keep growing, evolving, and thriving.
