A MAJOR Wellington employer says it is “grateful” to Taunton Deane Council after being offered a grant of £10,000 to enable it to relocate within the town.

Cosmetics and household goods company Swallowfield currently occupies ageing buildings on the north side of Wellington in Station Road, but the grant will enable the company to obtain expert advice and carry out preparatory studies and investigations to help with the relocation process and help safeguard local jobs.

Chris How, Swallowfield chief executive, said: “We’re grateful for the support of Taunton Deane Council as we explore the potential to develop a new site in Wellington.

“We are working closely with the council so that our business needs, and the interests of the town and its community, are fully aligned. Swallowfield has operated at the present site in Wellington for more than 50 years, and has been an important part of the town’s community and economy, and we wish this to continue.

“Developing a new purposebuilt, energy-efficient and environmentally-advanced site would be an important support to our growth ambitions and certainly improve our business competitiveness.

“It would also enable us to make current employment levels more secure and create further job opportunities.

“Funding such a relocation is very challenging and we have some way to go in this regard.

“In this context Taunton Deane’s provision of this grant is an important and helpful step.”

Cllr Norman Cavill, portfolio holder for economic development said: “The council is strongly committed to securing the sustainable growth and regeneration of the borough.

“To that end we try to work closely with all the larger employers in the borough, to help them to grow, expand and create new jobs.

“We’ve been talking to Swallowfield for a couple of years about their needs, and this offer of a grant represents an expression of the council’s commitment to keeping the business in Wellington.”

If the business is unable to relocate within Taunton Deane the grant will then be repaid to the council.