Last updated at 14:50, Tuesday, 22 January 2013

The agricultural engineer CT Hayton is opening new premises on the outskirts of Wigton.

The Kendal-based company is spending £1 million on the development at Syke Park, which looks set to replace its site at Beckbottom, Westward, near Wigton,

Building firm JJ Lattimer has started construction and the premises should start trading by the end of March.

Geoff Hayton, managing director of CT Hayton, said: “We are moving because we have outgrown Beckbottom and we need more space. The new site has better access and the extra space we need.”

He added: “Business seems to be all right at the moment. We hope it stays that way.”

The company has yet to decide whether to retain Beckbottom.

However, it is likely that the 10 staff there will move to Syke Park.

There may be new jobs too but Mr Hayton said it was too early to say how many.

The two-storey premises will include a workshop, stores, sales area and showroom on the ground floor, and a lift upstairs to a boardroom, offices, storage and kitchen.

There will be customer parking at the front and an area to display tractors and other plant for sale, along with a secure yard, to the rear with loading and wash areas, and staff parking.

JJ Lattimer is also building a second unit at Syke Park, on a slightly smaller plot.

This will be available for sale or rent and could be subdivided to house two businesses.

It will have car parking and a secure yard with access for delivery wagons.

The units mark the first phase of JJ Lattimer’s development of land next to Syke Park recycling centre.

Further planning applications from the Mealsgate firm could be submitted for commercial development on four more acres and possibly housing on land nearby.

Director Joe Lattimer said: “Syke Park is our latest development featuring the construction of industrial units following the success of our large Marvejols Park site at Cockermouth, which is fully occupied.”

First published at 09:43, Friday, 18 January 2013
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk