Three firms to bring jobs boom to Cannock

Cannock received a major jobs boost today as it was revealed an iconic furniture store is returning to the town while two other firms are spending millions to relocate there.

Brian James Furniture went into administration in March after 35 years in the town, shedding 19 jobs.

But it will reopen its doors on October 29 after the name and premises in Walsall Road were bought by Smethwick-based furniture firm NCF.

The site has had a £1 million refurbishment and 20 jobs have been created. This includes 10 of the workers made redundant when Brian James Furniture closed down.

Meanwhile, a £12m new sorting centre will be built to house a thriving delivery firm, more than doubling its workforce, as it announced profits had shot up by 70 per cent. APC Overnight plc plans to build a 128,000sq ft new centre at Kingswood Lakeside Business Park, Cannock.

Bosses today described the firm's current headquarters in Warstone Road, Essington, near Wolverhampton, as "too small" for the growing business.

It comes as the firm announced pre-tax profits of £3.4m for the year – up from £2m last year – and a turnover of £58m. The move will create jobs for at least 300 new workers on top of the 250 employed at the current site.

And a leading van retailer has also launched a flagship £2.5m site in Cannock with the promise of future jobs.

Van Monster will share their new UK headquarters with Northgate Vehicle Hire which is moving its business from Willenhall next month.