To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date the Costa Viyella site in Worksop was acquired by the East Midlands Development Agency; what the rationale was for its acquisition; on what date it was sold; what the rationale was for its sale; how many jobs have been created at this site since EMDA acquisition; and what has been the effect on public funds in real terms of EMDA’s acquisition. (112394)

[holding answer 30 January 2007]: The Costa Viyella site was acquired by the East Midlands Development Agency on 30 March 2001. The rationale for the acquisition of the site was to ensure that suitable employment land and premises were retained in the Worksop area in the light of recent job losses.

The site was sold on 25 April 2006 to a buyer who would generate employment at the site in line with the original rationale for the site’s acquisition.

The buyer has accepted a Selective Finance for Industry in England (SFIE) grant of £205,000 which requires the creation of 58 jobs at the site, but EMDA is not yet aware of any job creation to date.

Since the acquisition of the site by EMDA, it has spent £359,000 on site security, maintenance and advertising.