New units bring fruits of success
THE first wave of 40 new industrial units to help growing businesses in Rochdale have been snapped up, creating 15 new jobs.
Seven units in Dodgson Street are now home to a variety of different businesses, including a company selling fruit gifts, an internet trader, a kitchen manufacturer and a furniture company.
The units were built by the council to help businesses stay in the borough as they grow, helping boost local jobs and investment.
One of the new tenants is The Fruit Factory, which sells fruit salads through wholesalers to universities and service stations and has an online shop selling fruit gifts.
The move has allowed the company to grow, with owner Martyn Fishwick planning to take on two new members of staff.
Martyn, whose company was shortlisted in the most promising new business category of the 2016 Rochdale Business Awards, said: “I was previously in a unit near the town centre, which wasn’t council managed. I couldn’t expand there, so it really limited where I could take the business.
“Moving into this bigger unit has enabled me to move closer to an accreditation which will help me secure a contract worth around £80,000 a year to start supplying supermarkets and coffee shops.
“I want to employ two new people pretty quickly and hope to also create a counter where people can come in and buy smoothies and fruit pots direct.”
Coun John Blundell, cabinet member for regeneration, business, skills and employment, said: “We want to make it as easy as possible for businesses to stay here as they expand, so they can create new jobs and investment which stays in the local community and benefits our residents.
“These are the first of 40 new units we will be building and I’m delighted they filled up so quickly, as it shows the demand is clearly there. The feedback so far has been really positive, with the tenants enjoying being in brand new units which are in great condition, with ample parking and a reliable landlord.”