Pets Choice has submitted a planning application for a new warehouse, industrial unit and shop at its base at the Whitebirk Industrial Estate, Blackburn.
The application seeks planning permission for a new 120,000 square foot warehouse with three-storey offices, as well as a change of use for the conversion of the existing packing building to ancillary retail, in addition to a new access road.
The main purpose of the new development is to enable the company to transfer manufacturing of its products from Germany and France to the UK. If approved, the move is expected to create 60 new jobs in the area.
The company opened a 65,000sq ft production unit at the site as recently as two years ago, and as part of the new plan the existing industrial building currently used for packing operations will be converted to an ancillary retail unit operating on Thursday to Saturday for wholesalers and the general public.
Pets Choice recently completed the transition of the assets of the animate business to the Blackburn site, following the acquisition of the brand in November last year.
The transition created a number of new jobs in Blackburn at a variety of levels from warehouse operatives through to head office staff, and sees the company employ their first ever in-house seamstress.
Brand Manager Michael Haigh said: “It was incredibly important to us that we take on the manufacturing of the ‘Made in Britain’ products, so we are creating a dedicated seamstress room in our factory to accommodate the manufacturing of fleece crate mats and pet blankets right here in Lancashire. This is a really exciting move for the business as we expand our expertise from the manufacturing of pet food and treats into accessories too.”
