Steel signing marks TJ Morris milestone
McLaren has completed the first phase of structural steelwork at the £108m, 830,000 sq ft distribution centre for the retailer, located at Doncaster’s Unity Yorkshire development.
The construction firm broke ground at the site in March and since then Caunton Engineering has designed and delivered the 43-metre High Bay section of the advanced automated facility.
This has involved 142,452 structural bolts, 55,789 metres and 5,395 tonnes of hot rolled steel, and 112 metres and 793 tonnes of cold rolled steel.
In total, the project will require more than 6,000 tonnes of structural steel to be installed.
Work is progressing ahead of schedule and has now commenced on the Low Bay section, which will stand at 28 metres.
Completion is expected in October next year, when it will be handed over to Witron for installation of the automated picking equipment, before becoming operational by mid-2028.
The project has already completed approximately 80% of all building foundations, a 16-week earthworks programme, and installation of 14,000 precast piles and 8,000 rigid inclusion piles.
Once complete, the logistics and distribution facility will serve more than 300 Home Bargains stores nationwide and create around 1,000 jobs.
The facility is a key part of the wider Unity Yorkshire masterplan, which spans more than 600 acres, and is a joint venture partnership between Waystone and Hargreaves Land.
The milestone was celebrated onsite with representatives from TJ Morris, McLaren Construction, City of Doncaster Council, Business Doncaster, and project partners Waystone Hargreaves Land, and AtkinsRéalis.
Gary Cramp, Managing Director at McLaren said: “The steel signing not only marks the physical progress of this significant build but also reflects the spirit of collaboration across stakeholders, and the enormous economic potential the facility will bring to Doncaster.”
Mayor of Doncaster Ros Jones said: “This steel signing marks a major milestone not just for the TJ Morris Distribution Centre, but for Doncaster’s growth story.
“The Distribution Centre is not only creating 1,000 new jobs and strengthening our local economy — it’s also championing local suppliers including British Steel and demonstrating sustainable practices.”
Neil Kelson, head of logistics at TJ Morris added: “We’re delighted to see this landmark scheme moving at pace.
“The steel signing ceremony for the new distribution centre represents a key step in our logistics strategy, enabling us to serve our customers more efficiently and support our expansion plans, while creating significant employment opportunities for the local community.”
