This Is Cheshire

A move which suits us

From the Guardian Series, first published Thursday 27th Feb 2003.

CHESHIRE Clothing Company, the firm that rose like a phoenix from the ashes of famous suit manufacturer Chester Barrie, took its leave of the old site last week.

It took the staff and a professional company three days over the weekend to transfer the stock, equipment and raw materials from the old Weston Road site to its new, modern premises in Marshfield Bank Industrial Estate before Friday's midnight deadline for business transfers.

The removal also allows DIY giant B&Q to start building its new superstore near the Weston Road site roundabout.

MD Ian Wilson, who along with three other directors created the new company, said staff had been "burning the midnight oil" to make the move possible.

"It's been 12 months in the planning and four months in the making," he said.

"We got the building in November and it has been a race against time and although the site is 40,000 sq ft compared to the old site's 130,000, we feel this is the right size for us with 100 staff.

"We hope we can make this our new home and develop the business although we are remaining cautiously optimistic - I wouldn't be so complacent to say we've cracked it because there's a lot of nervousness among retailers at the moment but we're encouraged by the reaction we've had."

The move was helped by local organisations, which Mr Wilson was quick to acknowledge.

"John Dunning at the Crewe Development Agency has given us some financial assistance and we also got grants from the Small Business Units, who have been very supportive and helpful in creating a quality number of jobs that require skill and talent," he added.

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