Swaffham's Green Britain Centre to be sold
It ends months of uncertainty
Last updated 13th Jan 2021
Breckland Council has agreed to sell Swaffham's Green Britain Centre to an expanding international business, ending months of uncertainty over the building's future.
The decision means that, when the sale is completed, the building and surrounding land will be transferred to the business, which is moving into Breckland from outside the district, bringing investment and jobs to the area.
The business - which is not being named at this stage, while it engages with its staff over the move -manufactures products and sells around the world. It has been operational for more than 25 years and is now looking to expand. It will bring 25 existing staff to the site initially, with plans to create as many as 65 new posts in the next few years.
Cllr Paul Hewett, Executive Member for Contracts & Assets, commented:
"We're delighted to have secured a great deal to sell the Green Britain Centre, which will not only generate funding for reinvestment back into Swaffham but will bring a brand new business to Breckland and create dozens of new jobs."
The sale secures the future of the Green Britain Centre, which has stood vacant since the previous tenant vacated in January 2019. It also means discussions with Swaffham Town Council over the Green Britain Centre and a potential a 'land swap' have been brought to an end.
Councillor Hewett added:
"Naturally, we're disappointed that after more than 18 months of discussions with Swaffham Town Council, we were unable to make the proposed land swap work. But, the opportunity to bring immediate inward investment and jobs in to the town - at these challenging times - was too great to miss."
The iconic 220ft wind turbine adjacent to the Green Britain Centre will remain in place for the foreseeable future.