Minister assures Sandys that Pfizer site has an active future ahead
Posted by Laura Sandys, MP for South Thanet, at 10:24, Mon 21 February 2011:
On Thursday in Parliament, Laura Sandys MP gained the assurance of the Minister for Science and Research, David Willetts MP, that the Pfizer site would have an “active” and “great future.”
Having asked the Minister what his vision was for the future of the site and all those it employed, Willetts confirmed that although the future closure posed a “very serious challenge” the Department was doing its “very best to tackle it.” He suggested that the site could potentially be developed and used by multiple small research businesses. This would enable the site to benefit from the new trend emerging in the pharmaceutical sector – outsourcing to smaller research and development companies.
Following the question, Laura said: “We are fortunate to have the support, commitment and resources from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. The Minister joined me at the Pfizer site in Sandwich for a meeting with staff and officials last week and is really pushing to ensure that we in East Kent remain a world renowned centre for research.”
“The Economic Taskforce - formed to secure investment and attract businesses to the site - met for the second time on Wednesday. Within the next 30 days, we have committed to produce a comprehensive report on all the possible options for the site. All the important steps have been taken and with the support of East Kent MPs, I am committed to ensuring that the jobs stay in the local area and that we maximise the huge potential of what is a state of the art site.”
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Posted by Eleanor Nottingham, 11:18, Mon 21 February 2011: (Is this post abusive?) #
Thank you for keeping me up to date on PFIZERS etc I don't work there and never have. I am now retired ,but was born in Ramsgate and I don't like to see it depreciate,I would love to see it go back to the old days of the 50's and 60's lots of holiday makers we were then as good if not better than most seaside towns and a town to be proud of. Regards Eleanor (Ramsgate )