Blakemore Wholesale has invested £1m in its Penrith depot as it looks to expand its presence across Cumbria and the Lake District.

The new depot will serve both the food service and retail industry and will be dual branded Blakemore Wholesale and Blakemore Foodservice.

The depot currently employs 15 members of staff with a view to growing this number to 50 warehouse, transport and sales staff in the future.

Customers will be able to take full advantage of a new butchery, which will supply locally-sourced products, a new fresh fruit and veg offering and an enhanced frozen and chilled range.

The business has also invested in a 300 pallet capacity freezer and a fleet of multi-temperature vehicles.

Blakemore foodservice sales and marketing director Jim Dudley said: “Our long term strategy is to grow our current customer base of retailers and caterers in addition to targeting the hospitality and tourism market in the area.

“Throughout the whole process the team at Penrith have remained loyal to Blakemore’s and are now immensely proud of their improved facility. This will be a fantastic opportunity for caterers and retailers across Cumbria and the Lake District.”