Construction has officially begun on a major new Marks & Spencer logistics facility at Axis Works in Bristol, marking a significant development in the retailer’s food supply chain. The 390,000 sq ft high specification warehouse is being developed by Epta Development Corporation (EDC) in partnership with Stoford, on behalf of LondonMetric Property, and has been forward funded for £74 million. The facility is being pre-let to M&S on a 20-year lease and is scheduled for completion in summer 2026, with Winvic appointed as the main contractor.
The Axis Works site spans 101 acres in Central Park, South Gloucestershire, within the Avonmouth-Severnside Enterprise Area. Its strategic location makes it a key distribution hub for the South West of England, offering excellent connectivity for logistics operations. The scheme holds hybrid consent for up to two million sq ft of new industrial, warehouse, and logistics space, highlighting its potential as a long-term centre for supply chain infrastructure.
Since acquiring the site in 2020, EDC has undertaken extensive pre-development work, including asset recovery, demolition of a former pharmaceutical manufacturing facility, site raising, installation of utilities, and new drainage infrastructure. These preparatory measures have laid the foundation for a modern, sustainable facility designed to meet M&S’s operational needs and sustainability targets.
Chris Tsakumis, principal at EDC, described the start of construction as a key milestone: “Commencement of vertical construction at Axis Works marks a noteworthy milestone for our inaugural investment into the UK. M&S entrusting our team to deliver a critical piece of supply chain infrastructure for the business is equally rewarding, and is further testament to what Avonmouth offers as a strategically placed distribution hub and highly attractive locale for major capital investment. Delivering this building for M&S and LondonMetric, two widely respected and admired British companies, represents a seminal moment for us and our development partner Stoford at Axis Works.”
Dan Gallagher, joint managing director of Stoford, emphasised the importance of the location and the project’s collaborative nature: “Breaking ground at Axis Works is the result of more than two years of close collaboration with EDC. The project demonstrates confidence in Avonmouth as one of the UK’s most important distribution locations and will provide LondonMetric and M&S with a facility that meets the highest standards of design and sustainability.”
Mark Stirling, property director of LondonMetric, added: “We are delighted that construction has commenced on this high-quality logistics warehouse for M&S who remain a key partner across our portfolio. This is one of several developments where we continue to work closely together to help grow their best in class food offering. We are also very pleased to be working in partnership with EDC and Stoford to deliver such a high-quality development.”
From the M&S perspective, Sarah Stocken, food logistics project manager, said: “This distribution centre will play a key role in modernising our supply chain to increase capacity in our network. Not only will it help us deliver for our customers but also provide a brilliant working environment for colleagues when it opens next year. We look forward to seeing work progress onsite, led by EDC and Stoford.”
Local leaders have welcomed the development. Cllr Ian Boulton, co-leader of South Gloucestershire Council, said: “This major investment by M&S, supported by EDC and Stoford, is another clear sign of confidence in South Gloucestershire as a place to do business. Developments like this bring high-quality jobs, boost our local economy, and demonstrate the strength of Avonmouth and Severnside as a key logistics hub for the South West and the UK.”
The new Bristol M&S logistics facility forms part of a broader strategy by the retailer to expand its regional distribution network. It comes as M&S prepares to open a new flagship 80,000 sq ft store at Cabot Circus in Bristol city centre on 13 November 2025, further strengthening its presence in the city.
