The completion of the first phase of a state of the art manufacturing facility for French bakery giant Brioche Pasquier on the former Alps Electronics site at Wymbush, is a reflection of increasing investment in the Milton Keynes region says the commercial developer delivering the scheme, Hampton Brook.
The 160,000 sq ft development at the Centro site has now been handed over to Brioche Pasquier so the bakery firm can begin the internal fit-out process of its production lines.
Hampton Brook revealed that the facility is expected to be operational by the end of the current calendar year, and called the project “another example of development that is enabling the Milton Keynes region to forge ahead” by creating jobs opportunities for local residents and attracting inward investment to the area.
Hampton Brook Development Director Ian Jackson believes that the positive attitude displayed by the local council is helping to attract investors to the region.
He says; “There is a real appetite from Milton Keynes Council and Invest Milton Keynes to collaborate with developers to get buildings built and attract overseas investment, as well as retaining ‘home grown’ talents.
“And it is therefore of no great surprise that companies want to come to the City, where there is impressive evidence of a strong economy and varied cross section of business, giving further opportunities for business development and support.”
Although the first phase of construction works is now complete at the Centro site, this is by no means the end of the story as another proposed phase is set to begin within the next five years. This phase would create a further 70,000 sq ft of manufacturing space and would allow Brioche Pasquier to achieve a greater level of access to the lucrative UK groceries market.
The Centro facility marks Brioche Pasquier’s first entry into the UK manufacturing market, although it has been operational in Milton Keynes for some time now, having opened an office with just three staff members a decade ago. Since then, the South Midlands office has seen employee numbers swell to 30 – certainly a huge step forward for a brand first launched as a single village bakery by Gabriel Pasquier in 1936 at Les Cerqueux, France.
While Brioche Pasquier has grown significantly in size and now employs over 3,000 staff members throughout Europe, it continues to utilise authentic processes and original recipes to create its range of products sold by most major UK food retailers. This, it believes, will allow the brand to adapt to the British market whilst retaining the French traditions that made it so popular in the first place.
Mr Jackson continues; “Brioche Pasquier’s decision to open its first factory in the UK in Milton Keynes is reflective of the city’s position as the driver of the South Midlands economy.
“Its reputation of invention, innovation and collaboration is one which will benefit Brioche Pasquier greatly and help them achieve their continued growth plans.”
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