160 Newport jobs secured as Telford council buys business park

The council has saved Audley Avenue Enterprise Park, which had been earmarked for residential development by its previous owner St Modwen, and is now looking to secure a further £7.5 million to build a new business park on nearby land.

Businesses on the park said they were "delighted" its future had been secured.

When the site was offered for sale, the council said it saw the opportunity to purchase the site for its portfolio and ensure that its industrial work can continue.

The move will protect 160 jobs and deliver an income to the council which it says can be used to safeguard frontline services at a time when it is looking to cut £50 million from its budget before 2020.

One of the largest tenants on the estate is Jupiter Marketing Ltd, whose joint managing directors are Mark and Yvonne Tweddle.

Mr Tweddle said: "We have a thriving business in Newport at the Audley Avenue Industrial Estate employing more than 160 staff, since establishing our business in 2001.

"We had been concerned for some time about our future, given the previous owner's intentions to sell the site – we were obviously aware of the possibility that it could be redeveloped for housing.

"We have developed a local skills base and we have a strong association with the local area so we are delighted with the news that Telford & Wrekin Council has invested in the estate with the intention of retaining it."

"We look forward to working with them in the future."

Jupiter is one of 13 tenants that are resident on the park, which forms part of the larger Audley Avenue Industrial Estate, on the edge of Newport.

The tenants occupy a total of 136,769 sq ft in subdivided units in two buildings across a site of 7.37 acres.

As well as safeguarding the existing site, the council says it is committing to develop new employment opportunities in Newport by submitting a bid for £7.5m government funding to create a new enterprise and science park at a new site south of the A518, opposite the current business park.

Plans for the site include both start up units and sites for more established businesses.

Councillor Shaun Davies, Telford &Wrekin Council leader, said: "We have said time and time again that we are absolutely committed to supporting existing businesses to expand as well as attracting inward investment to our borough and that is one of the reasons we created the Telford Growth Fund.

"This is one more prime example of that commitment. I am absolutely delighted that we have been able to step in and secure the site for the future and give some thriving local businesses the security and assurance that they wanted.

Councillor Gilly Reynolds, Telford & Wrekin Council's cabinet member for education, employment and regeneration, said: "Through Enterprise Telford we have made a commitment to attract new investment to the whole borough – not limit it to one site or zone.

"The new science and enterprise park will bring new employment including high tech jobs to Newport and support the whole town."

Councillor Lee Carter, cabinet member for finance and service delivery, said: "Not only will this safeguard jobs but growing our Property Investment Portfolio is a key way that the council is seeking to increase income to invest in delivering frontline services, addressing cuts in government grant."