Pilgrim Foodservice marked a significant milestone with the grand opening of new depot in Colchester on Thursday, 22 August.
The official opening was marked by the Mayor of Colchester, Councillor Lesley Scott-Boutell, who not only celebrated the launch of this impressive facility but also highlighted the positive impact it will have on the local community and beyond.
This new depot, a cornerstone of Pilgrim Foodservice’s ambitious investment plan, has already created 14 new jobs, reinforcing the company's commitment to supporting local economies. The strategic location of the depot allows Pilgrim Foodservice to expand its operations, ensuring more efficient deliveries of its products and services across Essex, Suffolk, and London.
Mayor Scott-Boutell expressed her enthusiasm: “I was delighted to be invited to visit Pilgrim Foodservice’s new depot. The new purpose-built cross dock is hugely impressive, and it was brilliant to receive a tour of the whole site. Pilgrim Foodservice is an asset to Colchester and I’m particularly pleased that not only has this expansion helped to create more jobs for the area, but it will also be a fantastic boost to the local economy.”
Charles Bateman, Managing Director of Pilgrim Foodservice, shared in the excitement: “It was great to have the Mayor officially open our new depot. The positive customer feedback we've received since the depot started operating reflects the dedication of our Colchester team, and the ribbon-cutting ceremony felt like the perfect way to celebrate this exciting new chapter.”
One long standing customer commented, "The new Colchester depot has significantly improved how we purchase our stock. The quality and freshness of the products are second to none, and we’ve noticed that all of our deliveries are arriving earlier which is great for us.”
Founded in 1979 by Peter Bateman, Pilgrim Foodservice has grown into a thriving second-generation business and now under the leadership of Peter’s son, Charles. With over 300 dedicated team members, the company specialises in offering a diverse range of quality products, from fresh produce and pantry essentials to premium meats from their in-house butchery, C.J. Butchers. The company remains committed to hand-delivering these products to independent restaurants, hotels, and cafés across East Anglia, the East and West Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber, and London.