Bosses of Oswestry timber firm Richard Burbidge today confirmed the company has bought an industrial estate at Chirk – but dispelled fears it is planning to move out of Shropshire.

The firm today confirmed it has bought Canal Wood Industrial Estate at Chirk but stressed the purchase had nothing to do with its plans to build a supermarket and cinema on its current Whittington Road site in Oswestry.

The company, one of Oswestry’s largest employers, said it had bought the industrial estate because of the rental income it produces.

Bosses said the purchase was not a sign the firm was moving out of Oswestry.

They said the firm was still planning to re-locate to another site within Oswestry, should its supermarket bid be given the go-ahead by Shropshire Council. The firm is vying with three rival bids.

Sophie Bowen, spokeswoman for the firm, said: “The acquisition of the multi-unit industrial investment in Chirk is not related to the proposed relocation of the Oswestry business.

“The investment is currently let to a number of tenants who typically occupy units of 1,000 to 2,000 sq ft and the purchase is attractive to the company because of the rental income it produces.

“It is also immediately next to our Chirk facility, which is accessed via the road that is owned by the investment. The previous owners managed the estate from Leeds and we therefore think the estate can be better managed through more local active management.

“We intend to speak directly with existing tenants once the transaction is completed.”