Greggs Cold Store
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne
Sector: Food & Beverage
Project Overview
Greggs expanded its Balliol Business Park site in Newcastle with a purpose-built, fully automated high-bay frozen cold store rising to 32 metres, designed to boost national distribution capacity for its bakery products. The project sits between two existing manufacturing units and was delivered to support Greggs’ growth strategy and improve supply chain efficiency.
Our Approach
With a complex facility operating at sub-zero temperatures and incorporating automated storage and retrieval systems across multiple levels, the pipework and valve specification demanded technical rigour. VIP supplied a comprehensive range of WRAS approved valves, including DZR ball valves, butterfly valves and commissioning valves, ensuring compliance with hygiene requirements critical in food environments.
Given the scale and verticality of the store, we also provided our expansion design service to address long pipe runs and thermal movement. Our experienced team engaged early with the mechanical services and site teams to integrate robust solutions that aligned with project schedules and maintained continuity with Greggs’ wider facilities infrastructure. Throughout, VIP’s communication was proactive, clear and tailored to the demands of a major automated distribution facility.
Execution
Products were delivered and coordinated to meet phased installation requirements within this sophisticated environment. All valves and fittings conformed to WRAS standards, supporting the integrity of water systems exposed to freeze-thaw cycles and operational stresses inherent in cold storage.
Our expansion design recommendations, informed by precise movement calculations, were incorporated into the pipework layout to mitigate risk from temperature-induced stresses across extended runs. VIP worked collaboratively with the broader delivery team, including mechanical and automation specialists, to ensure solutions were implementable without jeopardising project milestones.
The Outcome
The new automated cold store has enabled Greggs to consolidate storage capacity on site, freeing up space in existing buildings and supporting efficient distribution to stores nationwide. The facility’s advanced design — including multiple automated storage levels and improved dock access — reflects a significant operational upgrade for the business.
VIP’s blend of product expertise, WRAS approved supply, and tailored expansion design helped deliver a resilient, compliant system that stood up to the unique challenges of a high-bay cold store. The project underlines VIP’s ability to support technically demanding food-grade industrial facilities with value-added service and trusted technical input.
