A berry good idea: ambitious packing firm digs for victory
Jobs boost as soft-fruit firm lines up new site
Construction has begun on an £18 million fruit packing warehouse – which is set to create around 500 jobs.
Maidstone Mayor Cllr Malcolm Greer formally got building work underway on Thursday, digging the first pieces of turf at the new buildings of soft fruit wholesaling co-operative Berry Gardens.
The 25-acre development at Wares Farm, in Redwall Lane, Linton, sees 434 existing jobs protected and the creation of a 14,000 sq m pack house with 12 loading bays.
The project is being developed by Alan Firmin, the company better known for its haulage business.
Cllr Malcolm Greer said: “This is an important investment for Maidstone and sends a positive and confident message about the prospects for the area’s fruit industry. It’s a privilege to get work started.”
Berry Gardens’ chief operating officer Nick Allen said new operation marked “an exciting development” in the company’s history.
He said: “The construction of the new pack house will ensure we continue to meet the challenges of our thriving market and create sustainable local employment.”
Tonbridge-based Berry Gardens is owned by UK growers – and has marketed and distributed fruit grown in this country for more than 40 years.
It increased turnover by 14% to £311 million last year, helping it to a pre-tax profit of £5.4 million.
About 100 jobs will be created in the two years it will take for construction to complete, with a further 60 jobs indirectly supported through the supply chain.
Alan Firming MD Michael Firmin said the new purposebuilt facility would incorporate wildwood and wetland to support wildlife. It will also have 650 sq m of solar panels.
Alan Firmin was advised by DHA Planning, Page Surveyors, Corylus Ecology, Lloyd Bore landscapers and Rural Partners. 47 Dumpton Park Drive, CT11 8AD T: 01303 487 124 e: petticoatemporium@ hotmail.com