Rayleigh MP Mark Francois recently teamed up with the Chairman of Essex County Council, Councillor Bonnie Hart, and her counterpart at Rochford District Council, Councillor Jim Grey, to perform the opening ceremony for an expanding warehouse in his constituency.
Ironmongery Direct, who are based at the Eldon Way Trading Estate at Hockley, are creating up to 40 new jobs in a new warehouse and distribution unit which they have created next door to their existing company headquarters. The local firm specialise in providing supplies of ironmongery (varying from door knockers to railings) to customers who can order via their local call centre or over the internet as well. Demand for their products has been expanding despite the recession which has led the company to open a new unit to cope with the extra business.
Mark had been invited to the opening ceremony by the firm’s managing director, Mr Wayne Lysaght-Mason, who also took him and his councillors on a tour of the premises. For this part of the event they were joined by another local Essex County Councillor, Tracey Chapman, who serves as the Conservative Chief whip at County Hall.
Speaking after the opening, Mark Francois MP said:
""Given all of the difficulties of the current recession it was very encouraging to be able to open a facility for an expanding business. I am grateful to Ironmongery Direct for investing in my constituency and helping to create local employment and I want to wish the company all the best for the future.""