Agricultural machinery dealers G&J Peck Ltd are celebrating 170 years in business in Ely – but that’s not their only reason for celebration in 2016.

Monday February 1 saw the directors meet at Lancaster Way Business Park to mark the start of construction of a prestigious new 27,000 sq ft headquarters, following a deal negotiated by Cheffins.

The company will move from existing space at Lisle Lane, in the autumn and their relocation will make way for a development by McCarthy and Stone of 52 ‘assisted living’ apartments for the over-70s.

G&J Peck Ltd is a local success story and is still a family business, now run by husband and wife partnership, Ian and Judith Loversidge.

Managing director, Ian Loversidge, explained why the move is essential for the future of the business.

He said: “We have been at Lisle Lane since 1979 and have seen the business grow in Ely, plus we have opened five other new regional depots with the New Holland, JCB and Case IH franchises over the past 37 years.

“2016 is the right time to invest in a purpose-built HQ that will give us space to expand our CASE and JCB franchises with a larger trade counter, machinery servicing and workshop space than we currently have at Lisle Lane.

“We will continue to offer all the services that customers have valued over many years, but customers will see many improvements when they visit us at Lancaster Way, including a larger facility that’s more accessible for all sizes of vehicle and plenty of on-site parking.”

G&J Peck Ltd’s new building will be constructed by Barnack Estates on the 1.8 acre site and the ‘first sod’ was cut by Lis Every, the Mayor of Ely and Ron Fleet, retired chairman, G&J Peck Ltd.

Ron Fleet said: “When I designed and built the Lisle Lane depot in 1979, I could never have believed that the business would grow to a six depot company, employing over 130 staff. I’m so proud of everything the company has achieved.”

The new G&J Peck facility is part of a next phase of growth for Lancaster Way Business Park. Harvey Bibby, development director for Grovemere Property, the developer of Lancaster Way, explains why G&J Peck is the perfect business for the park.

“The new HQ for G&J Peck is a great fit for the estate. Their mix of trade counter, workshops and storage is becoming quite a trend at the park, with Screwfix and Plumbase already located here. We have direct access from the A10, which is perfect for the delivery vehicles that Pecks welcome on a day-to-day basis.”