A £7 million investment plan providing 200 new jobs was unveiled this week by a leading Ross-on-Wye company. National brand names Carpetright, Pets at Home and McDonald's, as well as 25,000 sq ft of new offices serviced by Office Space Ltd of Monmouth, will occupy a development at a former BP filling station site alongside Ross Labels at Overross. Strong interest has also been shown by Halfords.
The major UK discount factory outlet, Ross Labels, is celebrating its 15th anniversary at Ross by hosting the new on-site development as it actively seeks to upgrade its offer and facilities to meet the ever changing demands expected in the retail industry. A recruitment programme is also underway.
"We have always had strong links with the Ross area community as an employer and supporter of a wide range of local activities and organisations, and this
development on our doorstep will give a further boost to the Ross economy and jobs market. It comes at a time when we are also looking closely to make a further investment in a stand-alone retail business in Ross town", said Ross Labels chief executive Angie Ellis. "The arrival at Overross of national retail and restaurant names marks a high point in our company development, while the new offices will encourage entrepreneurs and existing businesses to choose Ross for their own start-up and expansion programmes", she said.
And Monmouth-based Office Space Ltd chief executive John Berry told the Journal: "This development will be a significant part of our own expansion
programme, and will provide much-needed space for small, medium-sized and national businesses to locate at a gateway site closely linked to the
Midlands, Wales and the West Country. The office units will be fully-serviced, and enable companies to expand as they wish at their own rate, while offering set-up facilities for a new enterprise to start a business from day one".
MP, Paul Keetch, welcomed the new development as "a significant boost to the local economy, and a valuable expansion to the area's jobs market".
"It is very heartening to see a major Ross company reaffirm its intention to not only grow its own business, but also to attract nationally-known names
to the area as it celebrates 15 years of successful trading", he said.
Landscaping will play an important part in the new development in an area recognised as a gateway to the Wye Valley and beyond. Among a variety of new trees, shrubs and plants around an on-site public open space will be a recently-developed strain of disease-free Elm - believed to be the first example to be planted in the area.
A planning application has been lodged with Herefordshire Council, and Ross Labels hope to complete the new development by February 08.
Back to TOP