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GB Global backs major Liverpool distribution centre

Jan 7, 2026 | , , ,

GB Global, Metro’s holding group, is supporting the development of a new 950,000 sq ft multi-user distribution centre in Speke, Liverpool, reinforcing the group’s ability to handle growing and more complex freight flows.

The 50 acre site will accommodate a single cross docked facility of over 950,000 ft2 incorporating 31,000 ft2 of two storey offices, a 902,000 ft2 warehouse as well as two transport offices of 6,000 ft2 and a gatehouse.

The property will have 21m eaves, 118 dock and 12 level access doors as well as 55m yards to both sides and parking for 238 HGVs and 600 cars. The scheme will target BREEAM Excellent and an EPC A+ rating with the warehouse roof being 100% PV ready.

The redevelopment has received planning approval from Liverpool City Council, attracting national attention, including coverage by the BBC, which reflects the strategic importance of logistics infrastructure to regional growth and national supply-chain capability.

An economic impact assessment published by Brookdale Consulting estimates the £96m scheme would generate £42m in business rates over 10 years and create 500 jobs.

Located close to key motorway links, ports and air cargo gateways, the Speke site is designed to support multi-user, multi-sector distribution, offering scale, flexibility and modern facilities aligned with today’s logistics requirements.

For Metro customers, the new Speke facility will:

  • Expand available UK distribution capacity at a time when space remains constrained
  • Support faster inland connectivity between ports, airports and end markets
  • Enable more flexible inventory positioning and fulfilment strategies

As supply chains become more fragmented and risk-aware, access to high-quality, well-located logistics infrastructure is increasingly central to service reliability.

Looking ahead

The Speke development underlines how investment at group level supports stronger execution across the supply chain as a whole. For Metro customers, it reinforces the value of working with a logistics partner that sits within a broader network committed to long-term infrastructure, people and capability.

As supply chains continue to shift from cost-led optimisation toward resilience and performance, this type of strategic investment provides an important foundation for consistent service delivery in the years ahead.

About GB Global

GB Global is a privately owned international group comprising a diverse portfolio of specialist businesses spanning logistics, supply chain, technology, education, customs, consultancy, sustainability, and property development.

Employing over 3,000 people worldwide, the Group operates across all major global markets, delivering fully integrated, end-to-end solutions that connect every stage of the supply chain – from global freight and warehousing to customs compliance, digital trade management and environmental consultancy.

GB Global operates through a network of independently managed specialist businesses, each with its own leadership, expertise and customer focus, supported by shared strategic oversight, investment, assets and group-wide capabilities. This structure enables agility at company level, while providing customers with the scale, resilience and integrated services of a global organisation.

For more information, visit www.gbglobal.world

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Building capacity, capability and coverage: Metro’s expansion plans for 2026

Jan 7, 2026 |

Metro is entering 2026 with a clear focus: expanding regional presence, strengthening expertise and investing in people to better support customers operating increasingly complex and execution-critical supply chains.

In 2026, Metro will open new offices in Belfast, Leeds and Liverpool, strengthening its UK footprint and bringing decision-making, operational support and customer service closer to key manufacturing, retail and port-centric markets.

These locations have been selected to:

  • Improve regional accessibility for customers
  • Strengthen links to major ports, airports and inland networks
  • Support faster response and more localised service delivery

The expansion reflects Metro’s commitment to combining national scale with regional execution,  ensuring customers benefit from both consistency and local expertise.

Strengthening international platforms

Internationally, Metro is continuing to build momentum in key growth markets.

In the United States, Metro has appointed a dedicated Account Director for Metro Global USA, underlining the importance of the transatlantic market to UK and European customers. Metro Global USA is being strengthened to six locations, enhancing local coverage, customer support and coordination across inbound and outbound flows.

At the same time, Metro’s presence in India continues to scale strategically. The business is expanding toward seven locations, creating a stronger platform to support sourcing, consolidation, origin management and exporting across the Indian subcontinent — a market of growing importance as supply chains diversify.

Investing in expertise and people

Alongside its geographic expansion, Metro continues to invest heavily in the people and expertise that underpin reliable supply-chain execution.

During 2025 and into 2026, Metro has recruited experienced senior professionals across all transport modes and service lines, strengthening capability in ocean, air, road, warehousing, customs, IT and integrated logistics. This ensures customers benefit from deep operational knowledge, strong carrier relationships and proactive solution design across complex and time-critical supply chains.

At the same time, Metro remains focused on developing talent for the long term. Ongoing training and structured development programmes are designed to equip teams with the skills required to manage technology-enabled and compliance-driven logistics environments.

This commitment to people was recognised with Metro being shortlisted at the BIFA Awards for Apprentice of the Year and Staff Development — reflecting sustained investment in both experience and future capability.

By combining senior expertise with continuous skills development, Metro is building teams that are not only equipped for today’s challenges, but prepared for the demands of 2026 and beyond.

Looking ahead

As customers plan for 2026, Metro’s expansion is designed to deliver:

  • Greater regional access in the UK
  • Stronger international support across the USA and India
  • Deeper expertise across all transport modes
  • Continued investment in people and service quality

For customers, this means a logistics partner that is scaling responsibly, strengthening capability where it matters most, and remaining focused on execution, resilience and long-term partnership.

If you’d like to discuss how Metro’s expanded network and expertise can support your supply chain in 2026 and beyond, please EMAIL our managing director, Andy Smith.

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Metro attains Government-backed Cyber Essentials certification

Nov 12, 2025 | , ,

Metro has achieved Cyber Essentials certification, the UK Government-backed baseline for protecting organisations against the most common cyber threats.

Achieving Cyber Essentials builds on our ISO/IEC 27001:2022 certification awarded in July, reinforcing a layered, standards-led approach to information security across our operations and supply chain.

With business and procurement leaders reporting a marked rise in attacks and cascading disruption risks, strengthening first-line cyber controls at each node in the chain is now a business continuity priority, not just an IT task. Our Cyber Essentials certification evidences robust baseline controls, while ISO 27001 provides the governance, risk and assurance framework above them.

Cyber Essentials focuses on five technical controls proven to block or defend against the most prevalent cyber-attacks:

  • Firewalls & internet gateways to prevent unauthorised access
  • Secure configuration of devices, software and services
  • User access control with least-privilege principles and strong authentication
  • Malware protection to detect and stop malicious code (including ransomware)
  • Patch management to close known vulnerabilities promptly

Certification is independently assessed and renewed annually, driving continual improvement and accountability.

A continuum of assurance

  • ISO/IEC 27001:2022 (achieved July 2025) sets the overarching Information Security Management System (ISMS) covering policy, risk assessment, controls and audit.
  • Cyber Essentials complements this with mandated, practical safeguards at the device and network edge. A tangible signal to customers that foundational defences are in place and verified. 

UK guidance continues to emphasise board-level accountability for cyber resilience, reflecting the escalating tempo and impact of attacks. Metro’s combined certifications align with this direction of travel and with customer expectations for measurable, third-party-validated controls across their logistics partners.

What customers can expect

  • Trusted handling of data and systems across bookings, visibility tools and integrations
  • Consistent security standards applied to partners and internal processes
  • Ongoing improvement via annual Cyber Essentials renewal and ISO 27001 surveillance

Cyber Essentials certification is a further step in our long-term programme to deliver secure, technology-driven solutions that help you operate with confidence in an increasingly digital trading environment.

To discuss secure integrations, data exchange or platform connectivity, EMAIL Ian Powell, Customer & Technical Solutions Director.

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France Ends Regime 42: What It Means for Exporters and Why You Should Attend Metro’s December Customs Webinar

Nov 10, 2025 | , , , , , , , , , , , ,

France will withdraw Regime 42 from 1 January 2026, removing the VAT simplification that currently allows goods to enter France without import VAT when they are destined for another EU member state.

The ending of Regime 42 has attracted little publicity, but it will directly affect UK exporters shipping on DDP terms through the primary Dover–Calais Channel crossing.

Under DDP, the UK exporter is responsible for EU import formalities. Once Regime 42 is removed, any DDP shipment entering France will require French import VAT accounting, unless the exporter holds a French VAT registration. For many businesses, this introduces new administrative steps and potential cash-flow exposure.

Some exporters may look to reroute via alternative EU entry points, like Belgium or the Netherlands, where Regime 42 will continue. However, the Dover–Calais corridor remains the fastest, most reliable and most cost-efficient route into mainland Europe.

Diverting freight via Belgian or Dutch ports will inevitably add cost, extend transit times and risk congestion if volumes surge.

To ensure continuity, Metro can support exporters with three practical solutions:

  • T1 Transit Solution
    Goods can transit France under a T1, avoiding the need to pay French import VAT. Clearance takes place at the final EU destination, maintaining full route flexibility.
  • French VAT Registration and Returns
    For exporters wishing to continue using Dover–Calais without a transit procedure, Metro can arrange and manage French VAT registration and periodic returns.
  • Routing via alternative port pairs
    Where customers prefer to use Dutch or Belgian ports to retain Regime 42 benefits, Metro can support and coordinate these routings through established carrier and agent networks.

For many DDP exporters, the T1 transit route or French VAT registration, supported by Metro, will offer the best combination of compliance, speed and cost-efficiency.

Exporters should review their EU import arrangements early to ensure seamless operations ahead of January 2026.

Metro’s customs and compliance specialists are working with exporting customers to identify exposure, adapt procedures, and ensure every movement remains compliant and cost-efficient under the new rules.

EMAIL Andrew Smith, Managing Director, to discuss how we can help safeguard your European exports and keep your goods flowing smoothly through the transition.

Upcoming Metro Webinar: Essential Customs Changes for 2026

To help businesses prepare for these and other major regulatory shifts, Metro’s customs specialists will host a one-hour webinar in December.

Webinar Title

Avoid EU Border Disruption in 2026: The Key Customs Changes and How to Prepare Now

What We’ll Cover
A focused, practical review of:

  • ICS2 and the new GB ENS requirements
  • The end of Regime 42 in France: who is affected and what to do
  • French Douane ELO rules and their impact on all French port traffic
  • EUDR, CBAM and the UK’s expected approach
  • 2026 trade agreements and anticipated regulatory changes
  • Accessing CDS data free of charge
  • De minimis rule changes and the end of low-value relief
  • Compliance requirements for 2026 – what they mean in real terms

5 December @ 11:00 AM (1 hour) – CLICK TO BOOK

Exporters, importers and supply chain managers are strongly encouraged to attend. This session provides clarity on the border changes that will define 2026, and the actions businesses need to take now to stay compliant and competitive.

Category: Metro

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