100 jobs as Cannock firm to double staff
More than 100 jobs will be created by a company in Cannock under expansion plans which include building a new warehouse in the district.
First Choice Group, an industrial equipment suppliers, currently employs 130 staff at its base in Swaffield Park in Hyssop Close.
The firm wants to relocate to a custom built warehouse, distribution and office building on the Kingswood Lakeside Employment Park.
It is part of a plan which would see the firm double the amount of staff it employs over the next five years, bosses say.
Director John Whitehouse said: "We have been established for 16 years now and First Choice has become a familiar name in both the commercial catering industry and the local area.
"The business has seen double digit growth every year, moving to larger and larger premises in the process and is still expanding.
"The firm is outgrowing its current headquarters and is intending to move to a new premises where all departments can be housed under one roof, rather than the 5 units as it is at the moment.
"This continued growth will also include the recruitment of over 100 new full-time members of staff to enable to company to achieve its vision of a £50m turnover by 2020."
The business provides equipment to a range of industries including commercial catering, refrigeration and laundry spare parts supply, as well as engineer training.
The proposed plans would see a three storey office and warehouse space, as well as parking facilities for 203 cars, built on the newly finished second phase of the Kingswood Lakeside Employment Park.
The only other occupants currently using the site are Veolia, for office space, and an APC Parcels hub.
Councillor George Adamson, leader of Cannock Chase Council, welcomed the move.
He said: "This is great news for Cannock, it will mean more jobs for local people and that is always a huge positive point.
"We have been working with First Choice Group to help them move into the Kingswood Lakeside Employment Park and so far things are going smoothly.
"They are a reputable company with good intentions and everyone at the council is convinced they will make a go of it and when they do, it is going to be great for Cannock."
The planning application is set to go out for public consultation on November 24, with a decision due to be made on December 23.
