Manchester approves New Smithfield Market industrial scheme

E&E Barton Estates and Khanjra Wholesale International Foods will build two warehouses totalling around 124,500 sq ft in Openshaw now that planning permission has been secured from Manchester City Council.

The warehouses will be built on nearly nine acres east of the market that currently consists of a car park and a series of ageing industrial units. These older units would be demolished to make way for the newer versions.

The new warehouses will each have multiple temperature-controlled chambers on their ground floor, with a first floor boasting offices.

Strawberry Catering would take the smaller of the two units, which is more than 44,500 sq ft. Strawberry Catering is part of fruit and vegetable wholesaler Barton and Redman Group, which has been trading at the New Smithfield Market since 2013.

The second building would be occupied by Khanjra Wholesale International Foods and is nearly 80,000 sq ft. This would be the second location for the family-rush cash-and-carry business, which was founded in 1997. The first site for Khanjra is in Blackburn.

Under the plans submitted by main contractor Russell WBHO, there will be 174 car parking spaces in the new development, including 12 that would be for those that are disabled. There would also be 24 covered cycle spaces and assorted trailer parking bays.

Cube designed the two industrial units. The project team also included TPM Landscaping, transport consultant Eddisons, air quality expert Ensafe, arboricultural consultant Mulberry, and sustainability adviser Complete Sustainability Solutions.

E3p advised on noise, geo-environmental concerns, and ecology. EMM is the flood risk consultant.

PP O’Connor provided the demolition plan.

The application’s reference number with Manchester City Council is 133759/FO/2022.