Multi-million pound cash boost for site

Work to expand Markham Vale is due to start next month after a multi-million pound cash injection was confirmed by the Government.
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles and county council leader Anne Western visiting Markham ValeCommunities Secretary Eric Pickles and county council leader Anne Western visiting Markham Vale
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles and county council leader Anne Western visiting Markham Vale

The £14million boost promises to further transform the flagship site, unlocking 81 acres of land and creating about 2,100 jobs within the next eight years.

The cash injection was announced by secretary of state for communities and local government Eric Pickles, who visited the Duckmanton location on Tuesday.

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He said: “This is a great example of how our economic plan is rebalancing the economy and transforming once dormant industrial sites into job creators once again.

“This cash injection will help create jobs for local people and continue the area’s proud manufacturing tradition.” The former coalfield site is eventually expected to employ 5,000 people.

It is now home to 28 businesses with more than 500 workers.

Councillor Joan Dixon, cabinet member for jobs, economy and transport at Derbyshire County Council (DCC), praised the expansion.

She said: “Markham Vale has a key role to play in helping to build a strong local economy which creates jobs, attracts new businesses and provides a future for our young people.

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“DCC has invested more than £60m in the Markham Vale site since it was first launched in 2000 and we’re pleased the secretary of state for communities and local government has taken the time to come and see for himself the great strides we’re making in attracting business and investment to our county.

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“This funding will allow us to develop more of the site, giving us the capacity to continue with our long-term vision of attracting more business and industry, creating 5,000 jobs for local people.

“We’re pleased we can finally start work to prepare the land and get plots in place for further development by March 2015.”

This week a leading UK firm helped bring 60 jobs to the site – including 20 roles for scores of unemployed young people. Euro Garages worked with DCC and Jobcentre Plus to help recruit staff for a new development.

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Facilities will include a new Shell petrol forecourt including for HGVs, Spar convenience store, Subway, Greggs and a Starbucks drive-thru together with public toilets, seating area and a free cash machine.

All facilities will be open 24 hours a day.

Cllr Dixon added: “Markham Vale is going from strength to strength attracting more companies to Derbyshire because of the site’s location in the centre of England and its excellent transport links.”