Welton Bibby and Baron to move from Midsomer Norton –


Councillors' reactions

09/08/2011

The four Conservative Councillors representing Midsomer Norton have reacted to the news that Welton Bibby and Baron, a packaging manufacturer and major local employer, is looking at the possibility of moving its premises from the town to Westbury in Wiltshire. The firm currently employ 330 people on the site and are looking to expand.

Speaking on behalf of the town's B&NES Councillors, Cllr Paul Myers, who is also a director of the Chamber of Commerce, said:

"Welton Bibby and Baron's announcement that they are considering moving out of Midsomer Norton, if it goes ahead, would clearly be very bad news for our town. Midsomer Norton is good place for businesses to be based, and we will be doing whatever we can to persuade them to remain in Midsomer Norton. Welton Bibby and Baron employs many local people and we had expected that they would be expanding their business in our town. Whatever the outcome, it must be a priority that the jobs of those currently employed are protected.

"This announcement does highlight though the need for more high-quality employment space in Midsomer Norton to enable our existing local businesses to grow and flourish, and encourage more companies to establish themselves here. This need was recognised in the work put into developing B&NES Council's Core Strategy. Now the Council must take the lead to drive this forward in order to create more local jobs for local residents."

Councillor Barry Macrae (Midsomer Norton North) added:

"B&NES Council has been aware for some time of Welton Bibby and Baron's desire to expand and we understood had been in conversations with the company about how this could be accommodated in Midsomer Norton. So we're clearly shocked at this announcement and will be seeking answers as to why these discussions appear to have come to nothing."