Costco looking to open new warehouse site in Colchester

Costco is looking to open 14 new stores across the UK as it looks to “expand its existing portfolio of warehouses”, which currently sits at 29.

The retail giant is eyeing up two Essex sites in addition to its one pre-existing site in Thurrock, these being in Chelmsford and Colchester.

There is only one Costco in Essex currently, which is in Thurrock (Image: Google Maps)

It has been announced Chase Commercial Limited and Colliers International have been “retained by Costco Wholesale UK to deliver suitable sites in the UK in order to expand their existing portfolio of 29 membership warehouse clubs”.

Director at Chase Commercial Justin Parker said: "We are really pleased to be partnered with Costco Wholesale UK to deliver further warehouse clubs for them throughout the UK.

“Costco has an excellent planning and performance track record and is entirely self-funded.

“We are seeking six to 12-acre sites to provide 150,000 sq ft buildings with 650 parking spaces and the ability to develop a Petrol Filling & EV Station.”

Warehouse - inside a Costco (Image: Curlyrnd/Wikimedia Commons)

According to The Sun, Costco will work with the property development companies to find and convert the new sites, but all the purchases will be self-funded.

It added how Costco hopes to open the new stores "as soon as possible”, and how this could feasibly be completed “within the next two years”, although some stores could be delayed if the acquisitions take longer than planned.

As well as the two further sites in Essex, they are also looking at Exeter, Oxford, Cambridge, Maidstone, Brighton, Portsmouth, Bournemouth/Poole, Preston, South Glasgow, South East London, Wolverhampton/North West Birmingham and South West Birmingham.