New £4.5m investment phase in Welshpool

The Mayor of Welshpool has launched the project that will see the creation of a new Marston’s family pub for the town and around 100 jobs for the area.

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

The Mayor turned the first sod on the Old Smithfield site on Friday (Sept 30) to formally launch work on the 180-seat restaurant.

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, comments: “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.”

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.

The Mayor added: “We want to see Welshpool become the destination of choice for people from away as well as encourage our own residents to shop locally. This venture will help in the overall economic regeneration of our town.”