The future of South Marston's former Honda site today began against the partially-demolished backdrop of its past.
Swindon Borough Council leader Cllr Jim Robbins
Swindon Borough Council leader Cllr Jim Robbins and Mayor of Swindon Cllr Barbara Parry were among the VIPs who gathered at what now called Panattoni Park for a groundbreaking ceremony officially launching what will be home to £900m-worth of business and logistical facilities.
It is intended that the first premises on the site will be ready once infrastructure is complete towards the end of the year.
The occasion came hours after a surprise visit by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, accompanied by South Swindon MP Sir Robert Buckland and North Swindo counterpart Justin Tomlinson.
Panattoni says the site will eventually provide some 7,500 jobs - more than the 5,000 or so provided by Honda at the height of its South Marston era.
Speaking against the backdrop of demolition work on the old Honda structure, Cllr Robbins said: "I'm really pleased to be here - it's great to see a huge investment in Swindon.
"I've been really keen to make the argument that Swindon is open to business, and keen to bring in inward investment."
The council leader said that in addition to the work of Panattoni, there was a lot the council could do to make Swindon attractive to potential new businesses.
He added that in addition to hoping for future announcements from Panattoni about investment, people could look forward to a council announcement about the town centre.
"Hopefully," he said, "you will see that Swindon is a town that's really on the up. There's loads of great reasons for people to come and invest in Swindon, not least the amazing employment land behind me and which is being created, but also as a town we're hugely productive."
Mayor of Swindon Cllr Parry has a personal as well as an official interest in the project.
"It's quite a funny feeling being on this site and seeing the buildings," she said: "My husband worked on this site for 27 years and prior to that his parents worked at Vickers - and that's where they first met and fell in love and lived happily ever after.
"It's interesting to see it evolving into something new."
Recalling her meetings with senior Panattoni officials, the Mayor said she had been excited to hear of their plans and the expected investment which would be drawn to the town.
Panattoni Managing Director Matthew Byron said Honda had been eager to work with a partner they trusted and who could deliver.
Highlighting the location's role in Swindon's industrial history, including wartime aircraft production, Mr Byron said that once the infrastructure was complete towards the end of this year, the first warehouse on the site would cover a million square feet or about 23 acres.
It is intended that the first premises on the site will be ready once infrastructure is complete towards the end of the year.
The occasion came hours after a surprise visit by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, accompanied by South Swindon MP Sir Robert Buckland and North Swindo counterpart Justin Tomlinson.
Panattoni says the site will eventually provide some 7,500 jobs - more than the 5,000 or so provided by Honda at the height of its South Marston era.
Speaking against the backdrop of demolition work on the old Honda structure, Cllr Robbins said: "I'm really pleased to be here - it's great to see a huge investment in Swindon.
"I've been really keen to make the argument that Swindon is open to business, and keen to bring in inward investment."
The council leader said that in addition to the work of Panattoni, there was a lot the council could do to make Swindon attractive to potential new businesses.
He added that in addition to hoping for future announcements from Panattoni about investment, people could look forward to a council announcement about the town centre.
"Hopefully," he said, "you will see that Swindon is a town that's really on the up. There's loads of great reasons for people to come and invest in Swindon, not least the amazing employment land behind me and which is being created, but also as a town we're hugely productive."
Mayor of Swindon Cllr Parry has a personal as well as an official interest in the project.
"It's quite a funny feeling being on this site and seeing the buildings," she said: "My husband worked on this site for 27 years and prior to that his parents worked at Vickers - and that's where they first met and fell in love and lived happily ever after.
"It's interesting to see it evolving into something new."
Recalling her meetings with senior Panattoni officials, the Mayor said she had been excited to hear of their plans and the expected investment which would be drawn to the town.
Panattoni Managing Director Matthew Byron said Honda had been eager to work with a partner they trusted and who could deliver.
Highlighting the location's role in Swindon's industrial history, including wartime aircraft production, Mr Byron said that once the infrastructure was complete towards the end of this year, the first warehouse on the site would cover a million square feet or about 23 acres.
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