Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects, has been appointed by Stoford and Epta Development Corporation (EDC) to deliver a new 390,000 sq. ft logistics facility for Marks & Spencer (M&S) at Plot 5, Axis Works, Avonmouth.
The appointment underscores Winvic’s proven track record in the design and delivery of complex industrial and logistics projects, including temperature-controlled and food storage facilities for major retailers and developers across the UK.
The high-specification facility, which is expected to complete by summer 2026, has been pre-let to M&S on a 20-year lease and is being forward funded by LondonMetric for £74 million, forms a key part of the retailer’s investment in its national food supply chain.
Designed to the highest sustainability standards, the building will target BREEAM Excellent, EPC A with embodied carbon performance evaluated in line with the RICS Whole Life Carbon Assessment (WLCA) Second Edition methodology.
Sustainability features will include rainwater harvesting, a roof-mounted PV system, LED lighting, Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHP), EV charging infrastructure and green roof cycle shelters, supporting M&S’s long-term environmental objectives.
Internally, the building will accommodate extensive temperature-controlled environments, comprising a 900m² freezer section operating at -18°C to -20°C, and 20,000m² of chiller chambers maintaining temperatures between +1°C and +3°C. These areas will feature PIR Cold box panels box within a box, insulated wall and ceiling panels, high-density insulated floors with electric heater mats, and airtight composite seals.
The facility will be equipped with GEA temperature monitoring and control systems linked to a monitoring station, with data logging and alarm functions for compliance. Two on-site generators will provide backup power to protect stock during outages, while ventilation systems, rapid-rise doors, air curtains and pressure relief vents minimise frost ingress. Insulated docks, inflatable shelters, and overhead evaporator and condenser units will maintain the cold chain throughout loading and storage operations.
The project also incorporates significant civil engineering works, including the installation of three culverts to carry an existing drainage channel (Rhine) beneath a newly constructed access road. This ensures continued water flow and provides vehicle access across land managed by the Lower Severn Internal Drainage Board. On-site engineering innovations include the use of Prefabricated Vertical Drainpiles and a Menard piling solution to optimise foundation performance.
Located within the 101-acre Axis Works site at Central Park, South Gloucestershire, the scheme sits at the heart of the Avonmouth-Severnside Enterprise Area – one of the UK’s landmark logistics locations.
Once complete, Axis Works will deliver approximately 2 million sq. ft of industrial, warehouse, and logistics space.
Winvic has completed 27 Net Zero Carbon in Construction projects to date, totalling 72 individual facilities, with a further nine underway, alongside 12 low carbon projects, with seven more underway.
Danny Nelson, Managing Director – Industrial and Logistics at Winvic Construction Ltd, said: “Our appointment to deliver the new M&S logistics facility at Axis Works builds on Winvic’s strong expertise and reputation for constructing complex temperature-controlled environments, as well as large-scale, sustainable logistics hubs for leading retailers and developers across the UK.
“We’re proud to be working collaboratively with Stoford, LondonMetric and Epta Development Corporation (EDC), for the build, which will prioritise efficiency and sustainability in the food supply chain. Avonmouth continues to be a critical logistics location, and this scheme reflects both market confidence and the strength of our specialist industrial and logistics expertise.”
Dan Gallagher, Joint Managing Director, Stoford, said: “We’re pleased to appoint Winvic to deliver this significant new logistics facility for M&S at Axis Works. Their expertise in delivering high-quality industrial and logistics developments will help us bring this next phase of the scheme to life.
“The project is the result of more than two years of close collaboration with EDC and demonstrates confidence in Avonmouth as one of the UK’s most important distribution locations. It will provide LondonMetric and M&S with a facility that meets the highest standards of design and sustainability.”
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