A MULTIMILLION-pound project to develop a Food Park in Peel is ‘on schedule’.
Environment, Food and Agriculture Minister Phil Gawne MHK was keen to spell out the benefits of the development at the Mill Road yard following criticism last week from one tenant.
Security fencing and gates have been installed and the old pump house at the entrance to the park has been restored to create ‘The Hub’ – which will provide facilities for the business in the Food Park, including administration and meeting rooms.
Public and private funding will see the development’s next stage, which will include major infrastructure improvements such as power and drainage, and the building of new processing units, creating up to 80 jobs.
A later phase will see other new units becoming available and the creation of up to 80 new jobs.
Mr Gawne said: ‘The ongoing regeneration of the Food Park can only be of benefit to Peel and the Isle of Man as a whole.
‘The combination of government and private sector investment is not only creating jobs but is helping food producers to meet the exacting and high level of standards of production for the producers’ main customers, most of whom are in mainland Europe.
‘This in turn makes the product more attractive to even more customers, increasing turnover as we open up more export markets.’
Peel commissioner Ian Davison, who produces and sells Davison’s ice cream, spoke out last week, saying the gates were narrow and awkwardly angled, and lorries had collided with them.
Mr Gawne said ‘teething problems’ ‘have been addressed or are being dealt with as they arise’.
He said: ‘This should, however, not detract from recent successes.’
