More than 700 new jobs are to be created at a £50m distribution centre for Screwfix in Staffordshire.

The purpose-built, 562,000sq ft warehouse has been planned for Prologis Park, Fradley. Work is underway and is expected to be completed in October 2017. Screwfix already has a major warehouse in Stafford, employing hundreds of staff.

Said the retailer's supply chain, logistics and IT director Martin Lee, “The decision to construct a warehouse near Lichfield was taken to ensure we have the logistics infrastructure to support the needs of our expanding business.

Adding one store per week to our network means we need to make sure we have the stock distribution in place to enable our busy trade customers to get what they want, when they need it from the nearest Screwfix, so they can get back to the job as quickly as possible.

“We will initially be recruiting 200 new warehouse colleagues and drivers and the number of roles required will grow to 700 to support its growth plan, representing

a significant employment opportunity for the local community.”