North East shipping container firm granted planning permission to "revive" A66 service station

A North East shipping container business has been granted planning consent for a major new development on the A66.

Parsons Containers Group plans to “revive” a former service station on the A66 between Teesside and Darlington.

The three-acre site will become the main location for the business, from where it will operate both of its services, of container sales, and self-storage under the brand U Hold The Key.

Parsons bought the site on the westbound A66 in 2015, which at the time also included a service station and on-site workshop.

The service station was sold on and reopened, while the workshop was sold to one of the group’s suppliers, Readman Fabrications.

Ean Parsons, CEO of the Parsons Containers Group, commented: “This is probably the most significant development for the Parsons Containers Group since the original foundation of the company.

“The A66 had already become a key strategic site for us and planning consent will allow us to realise our vision for the location.

“It will become an important hub within a major road network, crucially making it easy for hauliers to off-load empty containers.

“Its position will also make it a high profile, easily accessible U Hold The Key site, ideal for customers in the Tees Valley, County Durham and throughout the North East and North Yorkshire.”