New garden centre could create 250 new jobs

About 250 jobs could be created as part of plans to open a new garden centre and commercial buildings for "light industrial use".

The owner of Wiltshire's Malmesbury Garden Centre 10 acre (4.05 hectare) site, which sits beside the A429, plans to demolish the current centre and open a new one in its place.

Owner Andy Mr Nurden said the site would also create opportunities for apprenticeships.

"I want to see businesses and local jobs come here that will put more cash in the hands of locally employed people to spend here," he said.

"Not every young person is heading for university.

"Many will want to learn the practical skills that come with construction, working with plant, whether that be mechanical or those that grow in the soil.

"I want our businesses to offer those opportunities to them." he added.

Councillor Martin Smith, who met with Mr Nurden to tour the site alongside former Malmesbury mayor and councillor Gavin Grant, said there was a "real need" for new commercial buildings in the area and the lack of them "puts existing local jobs at risk".

"Local businesses who have outgrown their current facilities need larger premises to move into.

"The plans for this site meet a really important need," he added.

Mr Grant said it was a "relief" to visit a site that will create space for local jobs rather than housing.

"With jobs losses at Dyson, these plans and the jobs they will bring to our area are a welcome boost to Malmesbury's economy," he added.

Mr Nurden expects to submit his outline plans for the development of the site to Wiltshire Council's Planning Department in the next few months.

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