Ocado has begun the process of clearing the ruins of its Andover warehouse site and installing temporary refrigeration in a bid to resume deliveries by the end of the month.

Retail Week understands that Ocado has started installing some 10,000 sq ft of temporary refrigeration units in Andover, Hampshire with the aim of once again being able to fulfil deliveries from the area by the end of April.

In March, the online grocer’s finance boss Duncan Tatton-Brown said Ocado would “be looking to rebuild Andover” and wanted to “replace capacity” lost in the fire that gutted its newest, flagship CFC in early February.

Speaking to local newspaper the Andover Advertiser, North West Hampshire MP Kit Malthouse said: “I am very pleased Ocado have confirmed they are committed to the Andover site, and have installed 10,000 sq ft of temporary refrigeration equipment for the commencement of April deliveries while continuing to assess the future potential for the fire-damaged site.

“I hope a solution can be found that is to the benefit of our community and I will continue to represent residents to achieve that.”

Tatton-Brown said at the time that the fire was likely to dent Ocado sales by at least 3% in the second quarter and confirmed that the investigation into the cause of the fire was ongoing.

He also said that Ocado is working on finalising a site for a fifth CFC, and a fuller announcement could “reasonably be expected to happen by the half year, or around the half year”.

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