Chemical firm in its element

POSITIVE REACTION: From left, Wharfedale Property management director Tim Munns , Lightly and Lightly director Richard Hampshire and Lambson Chemicals managing director Fraser Hall examine a liquid in a lab at the revamped munitions building at Thorp Arch

SIXTEEN jobs have relocated to Thorp Arch Estate near Wetherby with the arrival of an international chemicals company - with potentially more jobs to follow.

In an initial £500,000 investment, the Lambson Group has moved its sales and marketing and research and development teams from Castleford to its new 6,000sq ft single storey home, a former wartime munitions building, where Lightly & Lightly, the Clifton Moor chartered surveyors and property consultancy, project managed a £300,000 revamp.

Lambson Group, which supplies products into the surface coatings, printing inks and electronics markets worldwide, had been based on a 40-acre site at Castleford since 1977, but moved several elements of the business within the UK and the Far East to enable its former site to be redeveloped.

The refurbishment of the old munitions building was carried out for Wharfedale Property Management, which manages the 385-acre estate for owners, Hanover Property Unit Trust.

The project included building a new roof, cladding, windows, the creation of a laboratory and making the building disability compliant.

Richard Hampshire, Lightly & Lightly's director, said: "The former munitions administration buildings make ideal small business units.

"It is rewarding to be continuing our work with Wharfedale Property Management to modernise this aspect of the estate and attract new tenants."

Fraser Hall, managing director of the Lambson Group, said: "We are extremely pleased with Wharfedale Property Management's response following our initial enquiry.

"The new offices and laboratories provide us with up-to-date facilities and a central location.

"The speed at which Lightly & Lightly responded to meet our timeframe was impressive and the refurbishment is to a high standard."

Tim Munns , director of Wharfedale Property Management, said: "We have a dynamic range of businesses, many of which trade between themselves as well as the outside world and we are delighted to welcome Lambson Group."