Welsh government's £1.55m deal to buy former Hotpoint site

The Indesit-owned Hotpoint factory closed in 2009 with the loss of 300 jobs

The site of a former Hotpoint factory in Denbighshire could be bought by the Welsh government for £1.55m, it has been announced.

It wants to redevelop the plot in Bodelwyddan in a bid to create jobs.

The land includes the 354,000 sq ft factory, a loading bay, canteen and a seven acre HGV trailer park.

Economy Minister Edwina Hart said she wanted to "help businesses grow, create jobs and attract new investment".

The intention is to redevelop the site and split the main factory into two units of about 150,000 sq ft.

Its trailer park could be developed for smaller industrial units.

Mrs Hart said: "This is an important acquisition as it secures the site for future employment uses that can create jobs for local people.

"While there is little demand for very large factories in this area there is interest in the market for smaller properties."

"Our overriding aim is to help businesses grow, create jobs and attract new investment into the area," she added.

Factory closure

The Hotpoint factory was built in the early 1980s and at its peak in 2004 employed 750 people.

It closed in 2009 with the loss of 300 jobs with the firm blaming the "continuing decline" in the market for the plan to close the factory at Kinmel Park.

Despite briefly being occupied by Mainetti after a fire at its Flintshire factory, the buildings have since remained empty.

Site owners Indesit has now agreed to sell it to the Welsh government on the understanding new jobs would be created.