Business investor is key to Market Drayton’s future

Business leaders and councillors say a potential investment that would create 600 jobs in Market Drayton is the ‘key to the future’ of the town.

Shropshire Council has revealed negotiations with an un-named company that has expressed interest in the £3.7 million Phase Two of the Tern Valley Business Park, which has stood empty for almost 18 months. Traders hope the deal for the 13.5-acre site next to the Muller factory will bring more people into Market Drayton.

Andy Brown, chairman of the town’s Chamber of Trade, said: “There are still things they can’t tell us for business reasons but at present it is fantastic news.

“You can’t guarantee that these 600 jobs will go to 600 Market Drayton people – it depends on the businesses that will go into the units – but you can assume a large proportion of jobs should.

“At least the site will get developed. We have got a huge dog-walking field at present so it will get filled up a lot quicker having the buildings in place.

“With a private enterprise they will want a return so it will be filled quicker. They don’t want warehouses, retail or transport so it is designed for maximum employment and the one thing Market Drayton is desperate for is employment.”

Mr Brown said he hoped the development would have a knock-on effect on trade in the town centre. “It is the key to our future,” he added.

A meeting of the Market Drayton Community Partnership was told last week that the potential developer ‘knows the area well’.

It is believed the investor will build office space and industrial units on the site.

Councillor Kath Brown, Mayor of Market Drayton, said: “The jobs would be most welcome, especially for young people if there are apprenticeships going because not everyone wants to go to university. Anything that keeps people in the town is great and if the jobs are there the houses will go.”