A ground breaking ceremony held at the London Gateway Logistics Park, has officially kicked off the construction of the 386,102 sq ft Common User Facility (CUF). The multipurpose specialist cargo handling centre will enable occupiers to share warehousing and transportation, materials handling equipment and labour.  Designed to operate 24/7, it will include cross-docking, storage, distribution and multi-user ‘pay-as-you-go’ value added logistics services. DP World London Gateway CEO, Simon Moore, said: “London Gateway Logistics Park is ideally located for exporters and importers looking to optimize supply chains by reducing road miles and increasing speed to market. “The CUF will be a highly attractive proposition for SMEs that do not need a large standalone dedicated distribution centre of their own. However, it will also be valuable for larger businesses looking for supplementary capacity or an ‘incubator opportunity’ where they can build up volumes from an initial small start.” Moore continued: “In addition, the CUF will allow businesses with existing commitments and infrastructure to add London Gateway to their distribution networks as a strategic devanning and collection point, bringing new agility and flexibility to their supply chains whilst significantly reducing costs.” Construction on the CUF is due to be completed in late Q1 2015, with operations starting in early Q2 2015. Tim Brown, Partner/Director of Buckingham Group Contracting stated: “We are delighted to have been awarded this exciting, high-profile contract. We understand the importance of this milestone in the development of the London Gateway Logistics Park and are looking forward to working with DP World to create a fantastic facility for logistics providers and their customers.” Thurrock Council CEO, Graham Farrant, said: “With growth in new shipping lines calling at the port, the CUF building now underway and others in the pipework, Thurrock is set to become a hub for UK logistics companies.” Leader of Thurrock Council, Cllr John Kent, said: “We are delighted to see construction underway on the first of DP World London Gateway’s distribution centers.  It is a welcome boost to the local economy and for local jobs.” With approximately 10 million square feet of warehousing and office accommodation, the London Gateway logistics park will be the largest of its kind in Europe. The announcement of the CUF follows another major development in May, that Prologis, the leading global owner, operator and developer of industrial real estate, would speculatively develop a 316,000 sq ft distribution centre at London Gateway.