MELKSHAM has received a major boost as a leading furniture manufacturer is set to move to the town bringing 150 jobs.
Herman Miller will be moving its Chippenham offices and Bath factory to a purpose-built facility on the Bowerhill Industrial Estate, following planning approval by Wiltshire Council.
To make way for the factory the AFC Melksham pavilion will have to be demolished, with a replacement to be built by the company.
A new link road connecting the estate to the A350 will also be completed at Portal Road.
Andrew Duncomb, head of marketing for Herman Miller said, “We’re consolidating our sites in Bath (Manufacturing) and Chippenham (Logistics) into one new location to be based in Melksham. This will expand our operational capability, see current positions maintained, and also open up new employment opportunities in the future.
“In addition to manufacturing and logistics, it will also allow us to build the UK arm of our international capability and act as a visitor centre, complementing our HQ building called Village Green at Methuen Park in Chippenham and enriching the customer experience.
“The new facility is being designed by Sir Nicholas Grimshaw and we see the consolidation as a positive move – strengthening our footprint in the UK and Wiltshire.”
AFC Melksham, a disabled football team is due to benefit from the pavilion. Club secretary Mike Rogers said, “It’s great that it will be disabled-friendly which is fantastic as it will only benefit the players and the club.”
No specific date is known yet of when building will commence.
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