New Staffordshire employment site is open for business

Work to create access to a major new Staffordshire employment site has been completed, with its flagship company already operational.

Staffordshire County Council carried out the works to create access to the Four Ashes site, paving the way for the relocation of automotive parts manufacturer Gestamp. The new facility (pictured above) is already part-operational. The 52-acre site in South Staffordshire has been developed by Bericote Properties, providing 900,000 square feet of industrial floor space and accommodating over 1,000 jobs.

The access to the site is from the A449 along Gravelly Way and the improvements have seen the creation of a new traffic light junction. Funded by the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership through the Government’s Local Growth Fund, the project also involved the installation of new toucan crossings, pedestrian and cycle routes.

Staffordshire County Council’s economic growth leader Mark Winnington said: “The Four Ashes project is the latest in a number of similar schemes we have delivered to bring business development and multi-million pound investment to Staffordshire.

“The access works are essential to the viability of the site and we’re pleased to have completed on time and on budget for the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

“This will be yet another thriving hub for business and see more job creation in Staffordshire and support our priorities of increasing prosperity and productivity in our county in the long term. We are pleased to have supported Gestamp’s relocation and expansion within the county.”

Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire LEP chairman David Frost CBE said: “The Four Ashes development is further proof that Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire is a great location to do business. Our can-do attitude and strong partnerships across the public and private sectors are creating a welcoming environment that enables businesses to grow and flourish.

“The availability of great sites like Four Ashes, our central location, good transport links and skilled workforce are proving a strong combination in attracting and retaining businesses.”

The project received a £1.91million allocation of the Local Growth Fund in addition to developer contributions.