MEP visits R&R

MEP visits R&R

17 May 2011

NORTH YORKSHIREFOOD CONSORTIUM ENLISTS SUPPORT OF MEP TO SPEED UP INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT

A consortium of food manufacturers at the Leeming Bar Industrial Estate in North Yorkshire has met with regional MEP Timothy Kirkhope to discuss expansion plans which could see some 700 new jobs being created.

 

The group - which includes R&R Ice Cream, Holmesterne Foods and Vale of Mowbray - is confident the site has potential for significant further expansion and are looking to resolve current infrastructure problems so that its potential can be realised.

 

Group member Peter Pickthall, HR Director at R&R Ice Cream, said: "Plans for further expansion by these ambitious companies, which will create much-needed jobs, are being jeopardised.  Major investment is needed in the utilities such as electricity and gas but the main issues are those of water and trade effluent.  The group is in discussion with the utility partners but progress is slow and we believe that future jobs are now at risk."

 

The consortium is considering a bid for financial aid from the Regional Growth Fund and local MP, the Rt. Hon. William Hague, has also shown his support and offered to help the group's plans come to fruition.

Timothy Kirkhope MEP, commented: "I am very impressed with the development plans of the consortium and the prospect of new employment opportunities on the Leeming Bar Estate.

"I am going to do whatever I, as their MEP, can do to help them solve some of remaining infrastructure issues as well as explore possibilities of assistance from the European Union in conjunction with the local LEP, local authorities and utility companies.

"Creating jobs and supporting successful businesses is a priority here and we must all work together to achieve that."

Barry Dodd, chair of the York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, is also backing the initiative: "Leeming Bar's expanding Food and Drink hub has great potential and the enterprises have shown remarkable growth over recent years.  Their plans will create hundreds of new jobs and bring opportunities for many other businesses in North Yorkshire.

"The infrastructure issues outlined by the group need to be resolved collaboratively and quickly to enable the area to gain the economic benefits this will provide."

Image caption

MEP Timothy Kirkhope visits the Leeming Bar Industrial Estate.  Left to right: James Lambert (R&R Ice Cream), Timothy Kirkhope MEP, John Gatenby (Vale of Mowbray) and Peter Pickthall (R&R Ice Cream)

For further information

please contact:-

Richard Graham

RGPR

Tel: 01765 640736