Outside BD Foods’ new factory unit, managing director John Davis, far right, next to council leader Peter Chowney, together with staff from the design and construction companies (photo: HBC).
Council adds to commercial property portfolio
As part of its income generation programme, Hastings Borough Council has added to its commercial property portfolio a newly built factory unit for food manufacturer BD Foods. Nick Terdre reports.
“The construction of this new unit is part of our new income generation programme through commercial property investments,” said council leader Peter Chowney. “The Income Generation Strategy will enable the council to be more sustainable in the future and less reliant on diminishing government grants.”
Designed by BBM Sustainable Design and built by Westridge Construction, the newly completed unit on Castleham Industrial Estate in St Leonards will provide much needed extra space for BD Foods.
“We are very pleased that BD Foods will be the tenants of this new, state-of-the-art, A-rated for energy efficiency unit at Castleham,” Cllr Chowney said. “BD Foods already operate from eight units at Castleham and this one will allow them to expand their food production further, creating 40 new jobs in the process.
“They are one of the biggest employers on the Castleham Industrial Estate, with over 100 employees, and we look forward to seeing their future and continued success here in Hastings.”
“It has been a real pleasure to partner Hastings Borough Council in our expansion,” commented John Davis, BD Foods’ managing director. “They must be the single most proactive council out there to take the germ of an idea and run with it all the way to create double-figure new jobs. We thank them sincerely for all their help and support.”
One of the UK’s fastest growing food manufacturers, BD Foods supplies menu accompaniments such as sauces and dips, dressings, soups, marinades and fruit compotes to hotels, airlines, restaurants, pubs, trains and event caterers, counting among their customers British Airways, Eurostar, Café Rouge, Domino Pizza and Bella Italia.
Cllr Chowney recently revealed that the council is facing a cut of well over £1 million in its total government grant. In December, as part of the income generation programme, it bought the Dunelm and Pets At Home retail park on Sedlescombe Road North.
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Looks as if the electorate in this town have no say in how this council spends (wastes) our money. Thought we were on our uppers? Thought the elderly and young were facing cutbacks in care? Thought they were closing public toilets because we are broke? Thought we needed to tackle the street sleeper? Thought we needed more social housing? Hey! What the??**** is going on here? Can someone please enlighten us?????
Comment by Ms. doubtfire — Monday, Jan 30, 2017 @ 10:10
Yes this latest news about the council buying the freehold of 599 Sedlescombe Road being Pets at Home and Dunelm, Mill is really unbelievable when you take into account the following:
* They are crying about cut backs and a shortage of money
* This site has cost HBC £7,252,500
* It generates £150,000 a year in rent
* That is just about 2% return and of course their will be repair
costs in that when necessary
Is that really a wonderful buy and of course don’t forget they just forked out £4,250.000 on that awful Aquila ( now Muriel Matters House) House.
And don’t forget legal fees and commissions on top.
Hard up for money are they. Not as I am seeing it
Comment by Richard Heritage — Sunday, Jan 29, 2017 @ 19:27