THE Co-operative Group has opened a £15m distribution depot in the region.

The depot, in Birtley, near Chester-le-Street, will provide jobs for 550 people, including drivers, warehouse operatives and vehicle maintenance staff, as well as staff working in food retail and administration.

More than 100 trucks will use the 280,000sq ft depot with orders picked at a rate of 500,000 cases per week for distribution to 260 Co-operative food stores across the North.

The depot is expected to be working at full capacity by July.

The building incorporates a number of energy- efficient features.

Rainwater will be reused for refrigeration and vehicle washing. Office lighting is movement triggered and has a daylight- dimming feature, which lowers the brightness depending on how sunny the day is. The site has received an energy performance certificate from the Government.

Ian Smith, operations manager North for Cooperative Food Retail Logistics, said: “The depot is key to ensuring stores continue to give Co-operative customers the high level of product availability and service they expect.”