Business expansion plans create new jobs in the city

NEW jobs look set to be created in Ely as two new companies move to the city, while another two expand their premises.

East Cambridgeshire District Council has approved four new buildings at the Lancaster Way Business Park to accommodate growing Ely businesses Cambridge Commodities and BM partnership.

Cambridge Commodities, which imports and distributes the raw materials for health supplements, has outgrown its existing premises on the business park and intend to take on more staff.

Managing director James Stevens said: "We started here three years ago with three of us and we've been desperately trying to expand, so we're very excited about this."

He said he hopes to expand the current staff from 13 to 20, including warehouse staff, sales representatives and technical staff.

"This is going to change the business dramatically," Mr Stevens said.

Packaging firm BM partnership, already based at Lancaster Way, also aims to increase its workforce by a further 30 people.

The other new units will be occupied by Bernard Group, a freight forwarding business, and Ison Distribution, a specialist supplier of bicycles and components currently based in two separate buildings in Cambridge.

Grovemere Property will be responsible for the development.

Executive director of development services David Archer said: "Given the rapid rate of housing in the Ely area, the expansion of the Lancaster Way Business Park, accommodating two existing businesses and two new companies from outside East Cambridgeshire, is a very welcome development.

"The District Council has a remit to encourage economic development and the creation of new jobs in our area - the decision made last week by the planning committee will help to create these opportunities and assist with managing the sustainable growth of the area.