Shell ‘to close Cheshire R&D base’

SHELL is to close its main UK R&D base at Thornton in Cheshire.

The Shell Technology Centre employs around 300 scientists responsible not only for researching high-performance fuels for Formula One engines but also for developing new biofuels.

According to The Observer newspaper, however, the facility will close in 2014 with the company then consolidating its research work in Germany and other overseas centres.

The move follows the company’s sale of its nearby Stanlow refinery to Indian company Essar, which was announced in 2010.

The newspaper quoted a company spokesman who said that staff would move to other UK centres such as its London headquarters or its base at Carrington, near Manchester.

He said: “We will work with interested parties to explore options for re-use of the site and facilities and we hope that science, technology and research can continue to be part of its future.”