Marston’s 100 jobs claim

 

Mayor Cllr Estelle Bleivas was joined by fellow town councillors and Assembly Member Russell George to ‘cut’ the first sod on the site opposite Tesco which will be transformed into a Marston’s Pub and Restaurant.

 

And while the 10-month wrangle between developers J. Ross Developments and Powys County Council now seems to have been forgotten, MP Glyn Davies highlighted on Facebook that a Marston’s pub that was applied for in London at the same time as Welshpool has already been built and opened.

 

But there was no sign of bad feeling as boasts of jobs and investment were the talk of the day.

 

“This development is part of our plan to make Welshpool thrive and create employment and trade,” said Mayor Cllr Estelle Bleivas.

 

Nick Scott, Chief Executive of J.Ross Developments Ltd, added: “This scheme represents a decade of commitment by our company to Welshpool Town Centre and forms part of an important second phase of investment worth £4.5m. It helps deliver the integrated Town Plan which has been developed by the Town Council and Powys County Council in consultation with the residents of Welshpool.

 

“This scheme, when combined with other current development phases, will generate almost 300 jobs, with a further 200 to come in the remaining phases, creating a vibrant and vital economy and making Welshpool the number one destination for locals and visitors alike.”

 

Steve Roberts, of Marston’s, the UK’s largest independent brewer and public house operator, added: “The pub will open in the Spring of 2012 and will be part of the two-for-one chain of family foodhouses providing great value and a relaxing environment. We are delighted that we are able to provide a new facility for Welshpool.”

 

The developers claim that around 50 full and part-time jobs will be created by the pub with support for a further 50 building workers’ jobs and suppliers. Construction will be by J.R Pickstock Ltd, the company that built the new Welshpool Livestock Market – one of the largest in Europe - at Buttington in partnership with Welshpool Livestock Sales.

 

Mr George, AM, said the development was “good news” for Welshpool.