Cooper Tires’ £1m government boost will secure jobs in Melksham

COOPER Tires is to benefit from £1million government investment to help safeguard around 1,000 jobs and improve its energy efficiency.

The factory, based on Bath Road, has been awarded the funds as part of the Department of  Business, Skills and Innovation’s Regional Growth Fund, which will be used to build a combined heat and power plant at the factory and install solar panels on the roof, making the site more environmentally friendly.

The tyre manufacturer, which was recently bought by Indian firm Apollo Tyres, is one of 104 firms to benefit from the scheme.

This fourth round of funding will see a £506million pot distributed nationwide, which aims to attract private sector investment and create thousands of jobs across the country.

The move is being celebrated by the town’s MP Duncan Hames, who spoke in favour of the bid in Parliament. He said, “It’s fantastic news. It means that Cooper Tires will remain in Melksham and ease the pressure of providing an energy efficient factory – a pressure which could have forced the factory overseas where restrictions aren’t as tight as in the UK.

“Back in March, I gave this bid my wholehearted support and promoted it to Government Ministers in Parliament. Helping energy intensive industries like this generate clean renewable energy is good for the environment and good for local employment. I believe the investment the company is making should put its Melksham operation on a firmer footing for the future.”