Permission granted for multi-million pound poultry plant
More than 150 new jobs are to be created in Wrexham following the approval of a £10m investment in a state of the art poultry processing plant.
An artist’s impression of how the revamped processing plant will look
The plans by Maelor Poultry Ltd, part of Midlands-based Salisbury Poultry, were approved by members of the Wrexham County Borough Council planning committee on Monday (March 2).
The decision unlocks an initial £10m investment by Salisbury Poultry, a leader in the UK’s poultry processing sector. The company is family owned with strong values, traditions, and a history of organic growth since 1989. It already employs more than 400 full-time staff at its Bilston base.
The Maelor Poultry project has been enthusiastically backed by the Welsh Government because it meets its commitment to working with new food business investors in Wales, under the recently launched Food and Drink Action Plan.
New job opportunities
The company, which has a turnover in excess of £70m annually, has pledged to work with the Government and other local agencies in a bid to recruit from disadvantaged parts of the area, as well as providing opportunities to those who lost their jobs with the closure of First Milk, which previously occupied the site.
Commercial Director of Salisbury Poultry, Stephen Hammond, said: “We are delighted to have the support and approval of the council to go ahead with this major project that will bring a £10m investment and 150-plus jobs to Wrexham and the surrounding area, as well as more jobs in the supply chain that will be needed to support our venture.
“A lot of hard work and commitment has gone into reaching this point and we very much appreciate receiving the backing of the Welsh Assembly Government, including from its Head of Business Development, Andrew Martin, from Clwyd South MP, Susan Elan Jones, Clwyd South AM, Ken Skates, and many other individuals, organisations and companies who have appreciated what we want to do and were willing to say so publicly. We’re also grateful to the planning officers at Wrexham County Borough Council and the authority’s Assets and Business Development Manager, Peter Scott, who have worked with us to make this possible.
“We are very much looking forward to becoming part of the business community of North Wales.”
Approximately 50 skilled and administrative personnel along with more than 100 production operatives will be required at the site, which is expected to open within 12 to 18 months following enhancements and the installation of necessary equipment. The site is expected to process up to 122 tonnes of poultry per day.