WORK has started on a new national distribution centre which will bring 300 extra jobs to a burgeoning Burnley industrial estate.

Property firm Eshton, behind the Burnley Bridge Business Park at Hapton, has enlisted Bowmer & Kirkland for the project on behalf of Exertis.

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The company is one of the leading distributors of IT, communications and home entertainment products and services in the UK.

The 543,000 square foot base is due to be completed by May 2016 and includes a main warehouse and two mezzanine floors.

As well as the staff transferring from Exertis’ current home, in Altham, it is envisaged that the workforce will expand from 510 staff to around 800 when it is fully operational, by early 2017.

Gerry O’Keeffe, Exertis UK and Ireland managing director, said: “We’re very excited to see work under way at Burnley Bridge Business Park.

“The new centre will greatly assist us in our mission of helping customer and vendor partners access an ever-improving range of services and opportunities, which drive their businesses forward, by allowing us to continue expanding our distribution operations.”

Exertis is a partner with 350 global technology brands and more than 14,000 resellers, e-commerce operators and retailers across Europe.

In its most recent results, the international company had a turnover of £2.3billion and grew by 22.4 per cent.

The retailer will join YESSS Electrical Engineering, Birchall Food Services, Townsend Music and Equinox Building Services on the former Hepworth’s site.

Cllr Mark Townsend, Burnley Council leader, said: “The council is looking forward to officially welcoming Exertis to the town next year, onto the largest new commercial development on the M65 corridor for over 10 years.

“We’re not surprised at the continuing strong demand for space at the site, given the area’s strengths such as its enterprising spirit, outstanding logistical connections and large labour pool.”

James Chapman, Eshton’s managing director, said: “It’s great to see construction of the Exertis distribution centre get underway.

“This is physical proof not only of Burnley Bridge Business Park’s potential but how the commercial property sector is bouncing back.

“We are experiencing a surge in enquiries, which reflects the increasing demand in the area for high quality space and excellent links to the motorway network.”

The £50million initiative was kickstarted 18 months ago following a major European Union grant to build an access bridge over the Leeds Liverpool Canal at junction nine of the M65.

Exertis is currently based at premises in Shorten Brook Drive, on the Altham industrial estate.

Gary Bradley, divisional director, Bowmer & Kirkland, said: “Construction of the building will be delivered locally through specialist teams and we are looking forward to showing Eshton and Exertis how we’ll turn their new distribution centre from vision to reality.”

The rest of the old chemical plant land has been allocated for housing, with 38 acres also set aside as a nature reserve.