UK parcel delivery company DPD has opened a new 63,000 sq ft distribution centre (DC) at Forrest Park, near Darlington, County Durham. 

Part of a multimillion-pound investment announcement in March last year, the DC will increase its capacity in the North East of England.

The new hub - located adjacent to Junction 59 of the A1(M) - has the potential to create up to 250 additional roles as DPD expands its operations in the region. The automated sortation facility will be capable of processing up to 50,000 parcels a day. It has also been developed to BREEAM Excellent standards.

Justin Pegg, DPD UK CEO, comments: “I’m delighted to see our brand new Darlington DC open on schedule as we head towards our busiest time of the year. We are planning for a record Black Friday and Christmas peak period this year and our network of over 80 distribution centres is absolutely key to the campaign."

"This is an ongoing programme and we have consistently invested in building brand new DCs for the last 15 years. As a result, the majority of our network is made up of purpose-built facilities with the automation and the capacity we need to run a premium national seven day a week, next day delivery service, helping to ensure we always meet the demand for our services and exceed our customers’ expectations.”

In March 2025 DPD confirmed the plan to build seven new, purpose-built DCs in the following two years. Darlington joins new, similar sites in Crawley and Sittingbourne, which opened earlier this year. In July, Tritax Park Queens’ Cambridge was confirmed as the site for the fourth 63,000 sq ft purpose-built DC.

2026 RTIH Innovation Awards

Supply chain automation will be a key focus area at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards.

The awards, which celebrate global retail technology innovation in a fast moving omnichannel world, have now closed for entries. Our winners will be revealed at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London on Wednesday, 4th November.

Check out our 2026 shortlists and finalists here.

We received a record number of entries this year and many fantastic examples of technology excellence driving transformative change across the global retail sector.

Congratulations to all those who made it through the initial submission process! It’s now over to our star studded judging panel who will decide the winners to be announced at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony, taking place at The HAC in Central London. 

The event will be held on Wednesday, 4th November and consist of a drinks reception, three course meal, awards ceremony presided over by award winning stand-up comedian, presenter, actor and broadcaster, Aurie Styla, and after party until 1am.

Click here to book your place at the 2026 RTIH Innovation Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, 4th November.