AN EMPTY site near Pershore is to become a hub for employment after it was bought by a leading tableware firm.
The former Varnicoat Polestar print works, situated in Pinvin, will once again thrive following its purchase by Arc Tableware International Ltd – creating more than a dozen new jobs in the short term and substantial growth in the future.
In one of the county’s largest property deals in recent the years, the 292,000 sq ft site – which has stood empty for more than a year – will see the company able to consolidate its operations on a single site and provide room for business growth after buying it from Wychavon District Council.
Arc Tableware International Ltd supplies well known French glassware and dinnerware brands such as Chef and Sommelier, Arcoroc and Pyrex. The firm currently supplies more than a third of the UK market for drinksware.
The company’s current workforce of 37 is expected to grow by an initial 14 jobs with the prospects of substantial growth in the long term.
Negotiations with Wychavon chiefs were successfully dealt with between law form Harrison Clark Rickerby’s and property agents Westbrige and Co situated in Stratford upon Avon.
Brian Thorp, Arc Tableware International’s managing director said: “We are very pleased to be moving to Abbey View and want to thank Wychavon District Council for all their help and support over the past few months.
“Our move to Abbey View is part of our long term commitment to supplying the UK and Irish markets with our global brands of glassware and will allow us to bring all of our UK warehousing requirements under one roof.”
Coun Paul Middlebrough, Leader of Wychavon added: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Arc to the district and really pleased that they will be bringing back into use this large prominent site which has been empty for over a year.
“As part of our Grow in Wychavon campaign we will continue to help Arc reach their business and employment potential. This investment demonstrates that our partnership approach with the county council and Worcestershire LEP is working well.”
