Markham Moor

Family firm expansion set to create up to 30 jobs at Markham Vale Enterprise Zone

Posted on 12 March 2014 · Posted in News

Construction of a 17,900 sq ft distribution warehouse and cold-store for Holdsworth Foods has commenced on site at Sheffield City Region’s Markham Vale Enterprise Zone site.

Family-owned Holdsworth, who supply food to caterers across the UK, originally purchased a 15,000 sq ft unit at Markham Vale in 2009. However, the company required a larger facility to house its cold-store and chose the Markham Vale location once again.

Director, Rupert Holdsworth commented: “We chose to expand our operation at Markham Vale based on the quality of build at our existing site and also due to the excellent transport links and ease of access to the site”.

Initially the new premises will be utilised by existing Holdsworth staff whilst their base in Tideswell undergoes essential maintenance and repair work. Once the works at Tideswell are complete Holdsworth plans to continue to operate from both depots creating additional jobs at Markham Vale.

Ben Ward of Henry Boot Developments commented: “It’s great news that Holdsworth, an established Derbyshire company, has chosen to expand at Markham Vale. We are also in detailed discussions with a number of other occupiers and hope to be able to release details soon”

The news is another vote of confidence in the Enterprise Zone’s potential to boost the economy of the local area, after the site was shortlisted for £14.2m of capital grant funding last month. The funding will be used to create a new link road to the northern part of the development, the site of a former colliery.

Coun Joan Dixon, Derbyshire County Council cabinet member for jobs, economy and transport, said: “It is great news that Holdsworth, a long-standing Derbyshire company, has decided to expand its operations at our Markham Vale site – potentially bringing another 30 jobs.

“This is the latest exciting news for Markham Vale which is showing extremely positive signs with more and more companies making it their home because of its location in the centre of England and its excellent transport links.”