First investment for Darlaston enterprise zone site

THE final building blocks are being laid at a new customer service centre which is being built on one of the Darlaston sites in the Black Country Enterprise Zone.

Nationwide Platforms, a providers of powered access platforms, is behind the development which is being built on the site of the former Garrington’s forging works in Willenhall Road, adjacent to the firm’s existing depot.

The centre is the first new business investment since the area was declared part of the Black Country Enterprise Zone late last year.

Councillor Adrian Andrew, Walsall Council’s deputy leader and portfolio holder for regeneration, said: “This is great news. Not only has a multinational company decided to consolidate its operation and move to the Black Country, but it also represents the first new business investment being delivered in Darlaston since the enterprise zone was formally established.

“Enterprise zones are popular with business and hopefully this development will encourage other firms to follow suit and invest here in Walsall.”

Peter Douglas, executive director of operations at Nationwide Platforms, said the new centre “puts us in a prime position to both manage local requirements whilst also offering support and expertise through the Midlands, East Anglia, and beyond”.

It is hoped that the Black Country Enterprise Zone will create around 3,000 jobs by 2017.