A company move is set to see further jobs created at the only UK Enterprise Zone covered by two Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP) – the D2N2 and Sheffield City Region LEPs.
The Markham Vale site, close to junction 29A of the M1, near Chesterfield, is due to welcome metal distributor Gould Alloys (currently based at the nearby Carwood Industrial Park). Work began in September last year to build its new 50,000 square foot premises, which features solar panels and energy efficient heating.
Gould Alloys will be moving to Markham Vale, with the company citing the site’s better transport links as a key factor in relocating. The firm’s 62 existing employees will move to the new premises and it is looking to expand the number of jobs at Markham.
(L to R) Henry Boot Director Edward Hutchinson, Gould Alloys’ MD Jane Bradshaw, Markham Vale Environment Centre’s Trudi Saxton and Derbyshire County Council Leader Anne Western at Gould Alloys’ new site.
Markham Vale, on the site of the former Seymour Colliery, is one of the largest Enterprise Zones in the country and the only one covered by two Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), one of which is D2N2. D2N2 is a partnership of business, local authorities, and skills and training providers which works to promote economic growth and create jobs in Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
Both D2N2 and the Sheffield City Region LEP are investing in development of the Markham Vale site. Like many other Enterprise Zones around the country it is former industrial, or previously under-developed, land made attractive for business relocation through advantages such as reduced business rates and Government-funded superfast broadband.
Work is expected to begin later this year (and due for completion in 2016) on the £7.5m Seymour Link Road, to link Markham Vale to junction 29A of the M1, to improve access. D2N2 is putting £2.52m into the road’s costs, with additional funding from Derbyshire County Council and the Sheffield City Region LEP.
Managing Director at Gould Alloys, Jane Bradshaw, said: “We’re moving to the site to benefit from better transport links and bigger premises, with the aim of attracting more business to our company, which could lead to further jobs being created in the future. The relocation has future-proofed our business and we’re pleased to be part of Markham’s growing network.”
David Ralph, D2N2 Chief Executive, added: “Enterprise Zone development is at the core of the D2N2 Strategic Economic Plan and key to delivering our strategy of creating 55,000 new private sector jobs in key industries, over ten years.”
Other companies already on the Markham Vale site include AW Repair Group, MSE Hiller and Andrew Page.
D2N2 also covers the Derby and Nottingham Enterprise Zone which includes the Boots Enterprise Zone, Nottingham Medipark, Beeston Business Park and Nottingham Science Park in Nottinghamshire; and Infinity Park in Derby.
To find out more about Enterprise Zones – click here
To find out more about the work of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership – click here
For media enquiries on this news release call Sean Kirby, D2N2 LEP Communications Officer, on 01159 578749 or emailsean.kirby@d2n2lep.org
