Firm eyes up ex-sports site (From Wiltshire Times)

Firm eyes up ex-sports site in Melksham

3:08pm Friday 17th August 2012 in Wiltshire By Chris Melvin

MELKSHAM’S economic gain could be Chippenham’s loss if furniture company Herman Miller relocates to Bowerhill.

The company, based on the Littlefield Estate in Chippen-ham, has confirmed it is looking for a new base to amalgamate that site and its factory in Bath.

The sports fields at Christie Miller Sports Centre in Bowerhill are due to become designated for business use, and the Wiltshire Times understands Herman Miller has first refusal on the land and is keen.

If the relocation goes ahead, 150 jobs would come to Melksham, including some new roles.

A Herman Miller spokes-man said: “We are looking at a number of sites, of which Christie Miller is one. All sites explored are developable land sites in Wiltshire Council’s core strategy.”

The company is not releasing any timeline for the move.

Mike Mills, chairman of Melksham Without Parish Council, said: “It’s a win-win situation, so I want it to come to fruition as soon as possible.

“It’s good to have someone of that nature interested, it needs to be developed and it should be an economic boost.”

Mr Mills added he hoped the news would help spur plans for a link road off the A350 into the estate, which will ease traffic on Pathfinder Way, which leads to the residential areas of Bowerhill.

Graham Ellis, president of the Melksham Chamber of Commerce, said: “Melksham and the chamber of commerce would welcome them.

“It would be good for the town’s growing population.”

A Wiltshire Council spok-esman said: “The land has been earmarked for business use, and we are in talks with a company which has asked not to be identified.”

Herman Miller is the second firm to recently announce plans to relocate from Chippenham to west Wilt-shire. Car parts firm DTR VMS will be moving 200 staff to the White Horse Business Park in Trowbridge from Bumpers Farm Industrial Estate in March 2014.