Wholesaler Costco is planning major expansion by opening 14 new stores in the UK over the next two years.
The wholesale warehouse chain is currently looking at locations across the country. A Costco source told The Sun that the chain was hoping to open the new sites “as soon as possible” – although some openings could be delayed if the acquisitions take longer than planned.
Costco is also looking for sites which would allow them the ability to develop a petrol filling and electric vehicle station.
The warehouse chain has partnered with property development company Chase Commercial to find and convert the new sites. Chase Commercial said it was looking for six to 12 acre sites to provide 150,000 sq ft buildings with 650 parking spaces.
Costco is currently looking to snap up warehouses to convert in locations such as Chelmsford, Colchester, Exeter, Oxford, Cambridge, Maidstone and Brighton.
The bargain wholesaler is also set to open a new site in Gloucester after it acquired a major site in Eastern Avenue, just off the M5 motorway last month. The exact opening date has not yet been confirmed. The nearest Costco stores are currently in Bristol and Birmingham. Costco began life as a trade-only wholesaler, but in recent decades has soared in popularity with families seeking big brand names with significant discounts.
Costco currently has 29 stores across the UK including in Leeds, Derby and Croydon. The 15 proposed new stores would take its total to 44.
