Bradgate sought permission from Leicester City Council to construct a single-storey extension to its facility at Ashton Green on Bennion Road, adding an additional 4,000m2 of floor space to the factory.
The extension of the existing sandwich production factory would include additional production space for ingredients processing and finished goods packing, as well as a chill space. Bradgate also included an additional option for a future additional production space.
‘Rapid progressive growth’
A statement submitted as part of the planning application said: “The aim is to provide additional production space required by the rapid progressive growth of the business.
“The proposals have been specifically designed to be in keeping with the existing production facility of which they are a direct extension.”
If approved, Bradgate would support increased production by relocating staff from its sister site on Madeline Road adjacent to the Bennion Road factory.
A Samworth Brothers spokesman told Food Manufacture: “This is part of a strategic review to ensure that we have the infrastructure in place for the future requirements of the Bradgate Bakery within Leicester City Council’s Ashton Green development project.
‘Strategic review’
“There are no immediate plans to extend the site, so it is too early for us to comment on job creation.”
The Ashton Green site opened in September 2014, manufacturing sandwiches and salads, and has a large warehousing and despatch capability. Bradgate employs more than 1,500 employees across the Ashton Green and Madeline Road sites.
Samworth’s planned extension of Bradgate business comes less than a year after it unveiled a new £12m distribution hub in Leicestershire.
Meanwhile, last month, Samworth owned Ginsters aimed to inject new life into the savoury pastries market, with the launch of redesigned packaging for recently launched products to attract new customers, including a younger demographic.