Website for landmark put on hold

Development of Kidderminster's historic sugar factory has been dealt another blow after action planned to drum up interest in the site stalled.

A website was due to be launched by Cill Dara Property Partnership to encourage firms to move to the former British Sugar plant.

But officials said the website had been put on hold until autumn at the earliest.

Ongoing talks over a development blueprint for the wider area, which would cover building developments, and the continuing recession, have been blamed for the delay.

Bosses announced the website scheme after a proposed business and education complex for the site had to be put on the back burner due to lack of investment.

It was hoped the website would encourage businesses looking to move into Kidderminster to consider taking up part of the site.

But bosses said they had not felt the time was right for the launch.

And they confirmed there had been "no interest" from any firms in taking over even part of the site since the beginning of the year.

No work will take place at the site, such as the demolition of existing silos, until new businesses have been signed up to move in.

Development manager Peter Bursford said: "This site needs big-hitting firms to come in and take it over and at the moment that is just not happening."