£10m poultry plant to be built near Wrexham

A new poultry processing facility that will kill 55,000 birds a week will be developed on the site of a former First Milk cheese packing plant in Wrexham, north Wales.

It is a £10m expansion plan for the business behind it, Wolverhampton-based Salisbury Poultry, and will create 150 jobs in the area.

Planning was granted by Wrexham County Council on 2 March following recommendation for approval.

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The application says the site was one with a ready workforce, a hatchery and poultry farms nearby.

And the Welsh government has recently launched a Food and Drink Action Plan, which aims to boost employment in disadvantaged areas by supporting food manufacture.

In a statement, Salisbury Poultry said the development could be expected to enter production in 12-18 months.

Commercial director Stephen Hammond said: “We are very much looking forward to becoming part of the business community of north Wales.

“A lot of hard work and commitment has gone into reaching this stage.

“We’re also grateful to the planning officers at Wrexham County Borough Council and the authority’s assets and business development manager, Peter Scott, who have worked with us to make this possible.”

According to its website, Salisbury Poultry currently employs 400 people at its Wolverhampton headquarters and has a turnover £70m/year, supplying fresh and frozen poultry.