LONG-TERM plans for the relocation of one of Wellington’s largest employers were discussed when Mark Formosa, the prospective Conservative parliamentary candidate for the town, visited Swallowfield.

Mark was given a tour of the Station Road factory by chief executive Ian Mackinnon.

Joining Mark on the visit were Wellington’s deputy mayor, Cllr Janet Reed, Taunton Deane deputy mayor Councillor Bob Bowrah, and Wellington Conservative county council candidate, James Hunt.

Swallowfield formulates, manufactures, and packages fine quality cosmetics, toiletries, and household goods across the whole spectrum of consumer markets for own label and brand names.

Mark Formosa said: “We were heartened to learn how Swallowfield are continuing to increase their revenues and maintaining profits despite the onset of the recession, which must be good news for the approximately 500 people they employ across the group.

“Swallowfield are recognised as good employers and the kind of company we need to be encouraging in Taunton Deane in order to provide employment for the local economy.

“It is no secret that they would like to relocate in the longer-term so they can continue to grow their business, and the provision of the town’s northern distributor road which I have been championing would open up land for this to happen.

“If the company was to move to the edge of town, that would in turn unlock sites along the railway line for Wellington to have its train station reopened again, which is another project where I have been leading the way.

“It all goes to show just how interlocked are the interests of different areas of the community and how we all need to work together to achieve what is best for Wellington.”