Sainsbury’s is to replace its Elstree DC in Borehamwood with a national frozen food DC in Northampton.

The 325,000ft² replacement facility will be built next to Sainsbury’s existing 625,000ft² DC in Prologis Park Pineham. Construction work is expected to begin in the spring and be completed by early 2018.

A Sainsbury's spokesman said the Elstree DC remains open “for now” and that the company would look to redeploy some of the 250 staff at the site before it closes.

He added: “The new distribution centre will meet future demands as our business grows and will provide work for 400 colleagues.”

The frozen food DC will be the first building on the second phase of Prologis Park Pineham, which is located next to Junction 15a of the M1.

Andrew Griffiths, Prologis UK MD said: “We have been working with Sainsbury’s for many years, so we are delighted that the company has decided to expand its facilities at Prologis Park Pineham.”