SPECULATIVE building of industrial units in Cinderford – a phenomenon not seen since the 1980s – was hailed this week as evidence that the local economy could be heading for a major renaissance.
Around 6,000 sq ft of new units, now under construction, will help to lure new investors to the area, believes Owen James, the district council's head of economic development.
He said a big boost in confidence had been provided by the decision of the Dezac Group, which manufactures health and beauty products, to establish a new £2.5 million plant at the town's Forest Vale industrial estate.
The new plant is set to open in a 90,000 sq ft energy-saving unit designed by Forest Design House of Lydney. It is expected to create up to 125 jobs over the next five years.
Managing director Des Mills said this week that the group had decided to stick with the Forest, in spite of "very tempting" offers from Wales, because of the loyalty of the existing local workforce.