the pfizer site , sandwich

Almost 1,000 at-risk jobs secure after shock withdrawal from Sandwich

A year ago this week, Kent was left stunned by the devastating news that one of the county’s biggest employers, Pfizer, was to withdraw from the Sandwich site after more than 50 years in operation.

Some 2,400 jobs were at risk as well as hundreds more support positions, with fears the local economy would take years to recover.

But 12 months later and several impassioned pleas to the Government by the Pfizer Task Force – set up to mitigate the impact of the drug giant’s withdrawal– things are looking up for east Kent.

This week it emerged that Pfizer was in detailed discussions with London and Metropolitan, after the real estate investor submitted a bid for the site, which is now being marketed as the Sandwich Discovery Park.

It was also revealed that almost 1,000 jobs at risk were now secure with more than 700 retained at the site.

Last August, the Discovery Park was selected as one of the Government’s new Enterprise Zones, giving new companies benefits including business rate discounts and simplified planning rules.

MP for South Thanet Laura Sandys described last February’s announcement as a “dark day” but she praised all that had been done to lessen the impacts on the east Kent community.

“In the last year the Task Force has been able to galvanise all parts of Government and has knocked on the door of every minister that could assist us,” she said.

“One year on, we have secured Enterprise Zone status, £40million Regional Growth Fund, flood defence funding and immediate start-up grants for new businesses.

“With almost 1,000 jobs now secure and a new buyer for the site in final negotiations, what seemed like a disastrous day a year ago looks much more promising.

“There is a lot more to do but we are on track.”

As well as Enterprise Zone status and the retention of 700 jobs in Sandwich and 250 at other Pfizer sites in the UK the Task Force was able to secure £40 million investment from the Government’s Regional Growth Fund package.

Existing businesses and start-ups in east Kent are able to apply for grants from the funding, which would be administered under the Expansion East Kent scheme.

The initiative is expected to unlock £300 million in private investment and create 5,000 local jobs.

High speed rail services were also brought into Deal and Sandwich to improve transport links and a £25 million flood defence package was agreed to secure a long term future at the site.

Kent County Council cabinet member for regeneration and economic development Kevin Lynes said with a partner such as London and Metropolitan the site had a viable future.

“This, together with the Enterprise Zone status, £40 million Expansion East Kent funding available through the Regional Growth Fund and the flood defence package, makes the Discovery Park a very attractive choice for business,” he said.

“We have met the enormous challenge set by Government to mitigate the withdrawal of Pfizer from its site in Sandwich.

“The dedication and determination of the Pfizer Task Force, local MPs, Government and other partners have produced intelligent, sensible solutions, with millions of pounds of funding now available to form the foundations for recovery and business growth in East Kent.”

Pfizer’s 17 acre sports and social club site has recently been sold to local investor Tony Harrison.

Chief executive of the Dover District Chamber of Commerce David Foley said: “This sale represents a huge vote of confidence in the Sandwich area which will undoubtedly help to attract new investment into the former Pfizer site at the Discovery Park.”