Jobs boost as £5 million Shropshire sawmill site opens

Hales Sawmills has built the15-acre premises at Adderley Road Industrial Park, Market Drayton.

The Staffordshire-based company had outgrown its premises and required a new site to meet the demand from its growing customer base and to support the company's future growth plans.

A Regional Growth Fund grant was secured to supplement additional funds raised by the company.

The new premises includes treatment plants, a biomass boiler, timber drying kiln, manufacturing facilities and a large shop.

Mark Whittle, chairman of Market Drayton Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said: "It is really good news for the town.

"As it is in the centre it will mean young people who cannot travel far can be employed. It's an easy commutable distance and means they don't have to rely on public transport."

Mayor of Market Drayton Councillor Tim Beckett said: "Again this is good news for the town especially with the creation of another 15 jobs.

"At the moment in Market Drayton it does seem if you want to work there are jobs available which is a great place to be."

Developers were the target of criticism to begin with after local residents voiced concerns over noise and pollution. But bosses promised to install an acoustic fence to shield people using the canal from any potential noise.

The site also includes seven acreswhich could be developed at a later date.

The family-run business, now into its third generation, has a workforce of 36 and has been running since 1982.

Julian Parton, managing director of Hales Sawmills, said: "This new facility will enable us to realise our ambitions for the future, growing the business to meet market demand and creating new skilled jobs for local people.

"We would like to thank our advisors Colliers International and Mitten Clarke, alongside NatWest, who supported us throughout the project and assisted in securing key funding."

Simon Summerby-Bent, director of valuation and advisory services for Colliers International, added: "This site represented a natural extension of the existing employment area for Market Drayton and provided the ideal location for Hales Sawmills to realise its future growth ambitions.

"We're pleased to have been involved in providing strategic advice which has helped to create a state of the art facility which will generate jobs for local people for years to come."

The site opens to the public on Monday.