Three months after fire, CoolKit secures new home

By Tim Aldred

11 Oct 2023

Rupert Danny And Mike At Thornley Ave

Three months after one of its manufacturing facilities was destroyed by fire, CoolKit has signed an agreement to move into a new 75,000 sq ft home in Blackburn.

The temperature-controlled van conversion specialist will move its headquarters eight miles from its former site in Burnley to Whitebirk, near Junction 6 of the M65.

The company was able to quickly bounce back from the fire, which occurred in early July, thanks to a recovery plan which enabled it to resume production at a second unit just days later.

Meanwhile, founder and chief executive Rupert Gatty put out an urgent appeal for new premises.

CoolKit has already started to move some of its operations to this site, with the plan to have the entire business relocated by the start of 2024.

Rupert said: “We are sorry to be leaving Burnley but the opportunity to move onto such a large site, which is only 300 metres from Junction 6 of the M65, was just too good to miss.

“The layout is perfect for our future strategy.”

Last year, CoolKit recorded sales orders of £20.1m – an increase of 60 per cent over the previous year – and despite the blaze, it is still expected to report a further record period this financial year.

Rupert, who founded CoolKit in 2005, said: “We can arrange the site so that we will have from one side deliveries coming in, a stores section, the manufacturing unit, a pre-delivery inspection area and then our conversions will go straight out of the door.

"All of the present workforce of 100-plus will be transferred over the next few months to the new premises." 

A recruitment drive to boost workforce numbers by 20 per cent was put on hold following the fire but is expected to be relaunched in the autumn to address the requirements for the growing order book.

Rupert said: “Another benefit of the new site is that it opens up our travel-to-work catchment area for both production and administration staff.

“We don’t want to lose any of our present staff. They have responded tremendously to the challenge of keeping up the production in recent weeks despite the disaster."

Rupert added: “Only a few months ago we hadn’t a clue what was going to happen to the business. But within a few days, thanks to MD, Daniel Miller and the rest of our executive team implementing a swift and robust recovery plan, and our admin and manufacturing teams executing it with lots of energy and drive, we are now moving into a very exciting future for CoolKit.

“We would also like to extend our thanks to estate agents, Taylor Weaver and our new landlord, Carolis for their efforts and support in finding, letting us view and securing the site so quickly.”

Enjoyed this? Read more from Tim Aldred

Latest news

1

M&S reaffirms store plans in £50m investment move M&S Gemini Park

M&S reaffirms store plans in £50m investment move

01 Apr 2025

2

Golf course to re-open after £1m upgrade Pleasington Golf Course

Golf course to re-open after £1m upgrade

01 Apr 2025

3

PM+M announces 20 promotions across the firm PM+M promotions

PM+M announces 20 promotions across the firm

01 Apr 2025

4

Plans for regeneration project in St Annes St Annes Square

Plans for regeneration project in St Annes

01 Apr 2025

5

Cortus Advisory Group promotes Charlotte Harrington as corporate finance director Charlotte Harrington

Cortus Advisory Group promotes Charlotte Harrington as corporate finance director

01 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

Chamber Breakfast Networking – April
Chamber logo - new-02.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
03 Apr 2025 - 03 Apr 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – April

The Dukes Theatre, Lancaster, LA1 1QE

08:00 - 10:00

WHN Charity Quiz Night
Evenbrite Quiz 2025.png.png
LBV Hub Fundraisers
03 Apr 2025 - 03 Apr 2025

WHN Charity Quiz Night

The Stables Country Club, Bury , BL9 1PU

18:00 - 22:00

Lancashire Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880395853-4862066883-1-original.20241022-091152-2.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
04 Apr 2025 - 04 Apr 2025

Lancashire Business Expo 2025

Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre, Preston, PR1 2HE

09:00 - 15:00

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire
LBV Hub Networking
24 Apr 2025 - 24 Apr 2025

The Business Network Central & East Lancashire

Stanley House, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

11:30 - 14:15

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

A night at the races
1.png.png
LBV Hub Dinners / Balls
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

A night at the races

Morecambe FC, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 23:59

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar
LBV Hub Seminars
22 May 2025 - 22 May 2025

Amber River True Bearing quarterly investment seminar

Cottons Hotel & Spa , Knutsford, WA16 0SU

16:00 - 18:00

Liverpool Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-881365363-4862066883-1-original.20241023-085714.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
23 May 2025 - 23 May 2025

Liverpool Business Expo 2025

Aintree Racecourse , Liverpool , L9 5AS

09:00 - 15:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin