Archiwum wiadomości z miasta Reading [zmień miasto]

Reading -> Jobs boost for town as Tesco gets green light for brewery plan

Jobs boost for town as Tesco gets green light for brewery plan

TESCO is on track to create 1,000 jobs in Reading after getting the green light to build a distribution centre in the town.

The grocery giant was given permission by Reading Borough Council's planning committee last night to build the centre - which will service supermarkets across the south - on the former Berkshire Brewery site in Imperial Way.

Reklama ogólnosieciowa

The site itself straddles the boundary with Wokingham borough, where council planners will discuss the Tesco plans next Wednesday.

Tesco's James Wiggam said 800 people have already expressed an interest in working at the centre, and added: "We will work to target jobs at local people. We believe this proposal could make a significant contribution to the local economy."

Mr Wiggam said jobs on offer include warehouse staff, drivers and managerial posts and he revealed the company is aiming to open the centre by Christmas next year.

He also ruled out building a railway line connecting the centre to the mainline, and added: "The distribution will go in by HGV and out by HGV. I'm not sure a rail spur is feasible. I don't know how it would get to the site, so the short answer is no."

As a condition of the planning consent, Tesco will have to submit to the council for approval an employment and skills plan outlining how it will target the Reading workforce, and councillors have requested in includes information about training and apprenticeship opportunities for young people.

The company was also told it must consult councillors and residents over the type and location of the public art it must provide as part of the planning agreement and hold discussions with the Ramblers Association, which has asked for a path around the site to be improved to help a new route along the Wokingham borough boundary.

Whitley councillor Mike Orton said: "This is a really significant, major event for south Reading. Investment and jobs are needed and they are needed now."

Rev Vernon Orr, the vicar of St Agnes in Whitley, said: "I strongly support the proposal. It will provide a variety of jobs for people in south Reading. Many people will be able to walk or cycle there I believe it will be good for our community."

 

Reading Chronicle

• Poleć
• Drukuj
• obserwuj
• Zgłoś nadużycie