The Office of National Statistics (ONS) has recently reported that West Northamptonshire has the most transport and storage premises in the whole of the UK, with North Northamptonshire coming in not far behind in 3rd.

 

The West Northants area has around 3,200 business premises occupied by transport and storage companies and the north around 2,700, does this make Northamptonshire the place to go for warehousing and logistics?

 

Being fairly centrally located within the UK, Northants does make a sensible choice for a logistics firm and warehousing regularly comes as part of that package. Northants has great transport links with the M1 and the A14 running through it, add to that the M40, A1 and M6 just outside as well.

 

I’m not going to lie it hasn’t gone unnoticed in my local area either, with warehouses popping up all over the place and some proposals provoking local communities to take a stand and oppose the building of more storage units. One local group that immediately comes to my mind is commonly known as STAUNCH – Save Titchmarsh and Upper Nene Countryside and Habitats – as there are currently two planning applications in process to build more warehouses on approximately 289 acres of farmland between the market towns of Titchmarsh and Thrapston.

 

Take into account the ‘Northampton Gateway’ warehouse and logistics park that has taken around 450 acres of countryside as well, it doesn’t look like Northants will be knocked off the top spot for warehousing and logistics anytime soon.

 

However, there are also people who are trying to find other alternative uses for some of Northamptonshire’s beautiful countryside. I know of two separate areas that are newly being used as wedding venues (I’m sure there are more!).  Beautiful wedding venues at that. In Great Doddington, Hawthorn Grove are getting ready to welcome guests, and on the edge of Northants, Fotheringhay Valley are already hosting wedding parties and are open for other event uses as well. Both are family owned, and family run with stunning views of the Nene Valley countryside around you who wouldn’t want to embrace what these beautiful local areas have to offer and support local businesses?!

 

 

I can understand both sides of the fence.

 

For G-Force, as a business, it can’t be a bad thing that our local area is top for warehousing and logistics as we manufacture many different items used in warehouses and factories.

 

As I person, I only hope my beautiful dog walks aren’t affected too much.

 

Useful Links

Leading Workplace and Industrial Suppliers | Manufacturer of Industrial Storage & Handling Equipment | UK (gforceeurope.com)

Save Titchmarsh and Upper Nene Valley Countryside & Habitats - STAUNCH Campaign

Outdoor Events Venue | Hawthorn Grove Outdoor Venue | Great Doddington

Fotheringhay Valley | Intimate UK Wedding Event Venue

West Northamptonshire has most warehouses in UK say ONS - BBC News