Central Co-op, Costa and Greggs open their doors at Botany Bay

A trio of national retailers have opened their doors to the public at Botany Bay Business Park in Chorley. 

 FI Real Estate Management, the owner and developer of the 21-acre industrial and logistics site, has welcomed the first retailers, Central Co-op, Greggs and Costa Coffee, located at the front of the business park, just off the M61 junction. 

 Central Co-op opened to customers on Thursday 1 May, followed by the Costa Coffee drive-thru on Saturday 3 May, with Greggs having opened its doors on Saturday 10 May. 

Each of the retailers has completed a unique fit-out and their arrival at the business park has created permanent jobs in double figures.  

 Elsewhere on Botany Bay Business Park, FI Real Estate Management is currently bringing forward Botany Hill, which will compromise 308,263 sq ft of industrial space.

Once complete, the entire Botany Bay Business Park site will create over 1,000 jobs, with the new retail occupiers providing valuable amenities to those working and visiting the site.  

 FI Real Estate Management has been working in collaboration with Lancashire County Council on traffic improvements to the main access of Botany Bay Business Park, to allow for better flow, reducing congestion and improving safety to the local highway network.   

 Tenants already on site include viral social media skincare brand, The Serenity Lab, who have already hosted a landmark 30-hour TikTok live from their space, and education provider, Construction EPA, who are using the unit as an assessment centre for local apprentices.

The development has ensured Chorley’s expanding business are retained in the Borough, with the likes of Donaldson’s Timber relocating to the site.  

Tim Knowles, managing director and founder of FI Real Estate Management, said: “It’s fantastic to see the next phase of Botany Bay Business Park come to life with our three national retailers opening their doors. 

 “These retailers have provided jobs for the local economy, and will be providing valuable amenities, not only to staff on-site, but to the local area. It’s encouraging to see national brands make the investment in Chorley; there is so much opportunity in the area for growth.  

 “We’ve worked extensively with the retailers to facilitate the openings, and it's great to see the community already taking advantage of these brand-new amenities.” 

 Derek Matkin, senior acquisitions manager at Central Co-op, said: “We’re delighted to open our doors at Botany Bay Business Park, bringing a much-needed amenity to the area. 

 “The site is strategically located for our customers, and we’re very pleased to have been able to recruit staff from the local area, creating employment opportunities for the community here in Chorley.” 

 Gillian Long, Retail Operations Director for Greggs, said:  “Our new shop in Chorley has brought 15 new jobs to the local area, as well as providing customers with a modern, convenient new place to experience their Greggs favourites.” 

 A Costa Coffee spokesperson added: “We’re delighted to have opened our new Costa Coffee Drive Thru store in Chorley, Botany Bay.

"Not only are we bringing great Costa coffee and food options to the local community, but we’ve also created a number of new employment opportunities. Our team of talented baristas look forward to welcoming customers to our brand-new store.” 

 Limited space is remaining at Botany Bay Business Park, and enquiries can be directed to FI Real Estate Management via the website: www.botanybaybusinesspark.co.uk