DOZENS of new jobs could be created through a multi-million pound investment and development project for one of Felixstowe's oldest factory sites.Indo European Foods has invested £5 million in its new manufacturing base at the resort - and is now preparing to sell land around the building for 24 new factory units.

DOZENS of new jobs could be created through a multi-million pound investment and development project for one of Felixstowe's oldest factory sites.

Indo European Foods has invested £5 million in its new manufacturing base at the resort - and is now preparing to sell land around the building for 24 new factory units.

Councillors have met the developers to discuss the idea, and are delighted that it will provide possibly 75-plus jobs, but also that it will create employment that is not port-related as they are worried the resort relies on the container terminal too much.

Indo European Foods, which imports, makes and distributes rice, Indian spices, seasonings, cooking sauces, pastes and chutneys, has moved into the former warehouse in Langer Road which was originally built as the 110,000 sq ft Sangamo metering factory in the 1960s.

It employs 25 people at present but is planning to double that figure in the next 12 months.

Now it has agreed to release land - an old car park area opposite homes in Orford Road, and grassland between the back of the factory, now called Kohinoor House, and Langer Road - for new two-storey self-contained factory units with their own offices.

If permission is granted for the scheme, Masterlord Estates Ltd, which has developed a similar business scheme at Ransomes Europark, will buy the six acres of land and develop it.

In a statement to Suffolk Coastal council, Masterlord said the development would include planting trees and shrubs, and would tidy and improve a rather bleak part of Langer Road.

Dave Roberts, chief operating officer of Indo European Foods, said Felixstowe was an ideal location for the company because of the port through which its materials are shipped, but also because of its good road and rail links for distribution.

He said: “The area also provides us with a good base for finding a multi-cultural workforce.

“We currently employ around 25 people here, a figure which will rise to 50 over the next 12 months.

“We are also looking to recruit additional people with experience of rice milling for senior roles within our management team.”

The company had set up in Felixstowe - its first overseas manufacturing base - with help from Suffolk Coastal council, East of England International and the Suffolk Development Agency.

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