Stephen Metcalfe, local MP
for South Basildon and East Thurrock, joined Prime Minister David Cameron at DP
World London Gateway to welcome the £200 million investment from Marks and
Spencer at the site.
Marks & Spencer are the
first major investor at the new 1,500-acre logistics park which will run
adjacent to the super-port. They plan to build a new 900,000sq ft distribution
centre which will create 700 new jobs in the local area.
After the event, the local MP
stated: “It was fantastic to welcome this investment to Stanford-Le-Hope with
the Prime Minister. Marks & Spencer’s will hopefully be the first of many
to invest in the logistics park, creating hundreds of jobs and providing a
significant boost to both the local and national economy.”
The Prime Minister branded
the new development “an emblem of ambition”, adding that the super-port will be
central to Britain’s expanding trade plans.
As well as championing the
local development, David Cameron used his speech at London Gateway to deliver
his vision for Britain’s role in the wider world and asserted the Government’s
commitment to building a stronger economy, a welfare system that works, and a
world class education system – things the Government are pursuing with
“ruthless ambition”.
Mr Metcalfe later commented:
“The Prime Ministers’ speech demonstrates that the UK are not spectators in the
global race but leaders. As he stated, the Port is an emblem of ambition
and it should serve as a reminder that we too should be ambitious about
Britain’s domestic policies, and about our place in the world. We are a great
country and I am pleased that this Government is committed to behaving as one
and delighted that the Prime Minister chose to deliver this message in the
symbolic setting of London Gateway.”
