WORCESTER'S MP has spoken of his delight at Gtech's expansion - hailing it as a "major vote of confidence" for the city's economy.

Robin Walker says the splurge in new jobs created by the firm, which has just bought a brand new HQ in Worcester, sends a serious "signal to investors" about the city's potential.

The Conservative has now urged more growing companies to consider basing themselves here, pointing to Worcester 6 as a massive opportunity.

As the Worcester News revealed yesterday, Gtech has bought a new base at Shire Business Park near Junction 6 of the M5 and committed its future to the city.

The news is a major victory for campaigners, who were fighting against proposals for a new HQ off Berkeley Way in Warndon villages - a project now officially "on hold" for 12 months to see how the new base works out.

Gtech has created 40 new jobs since March, expanding its workforce to 120 and has more plans to grow.

Mr Walker said: "It's a major vote of confidence in Worcester, the existing workforce lives locally so I'm delighted with the decision.

"And taking over that old Coomber Electronics building means that site at the Shire Business Park will be brought back into intensive employment use once again.

"This sends a signal to people that Worcester is the place to be for a growing business - Gtech is just the kind of high-end, high-growth business we need.

"It's brilliant, we all wanted them to stay locally and what I'd now like to see is Gtech used as an example so we can focus on Worcester 6.

"Hopefully other companies will see this and look at that business park as a place to base themselves."

Worcester City Council's Labour leadership has also congratulated the firm on its decision.

Councillor Geoff Williams, the cabinet member for economic prosperity and growth, said: "I'm relieved they've decided to stay in Worcester - Gtech is a very successful, high-tech, go-ahead firm.

"This is just the type of business we need to attract and retain in Worcester, it's very pleasing."

Other civic leaders also weighed in today, with the Mayor of Worcester Councillor Paul Denham saying he was "delighted with the Gtech decision".

Robert Lodge, a Labour Party activist, added: "It's great to see Gtech showing a renewed commitment to Worcester - fantastic for the city to keep a top local business."

In recent months the firm's founder, inventor Nick Grey, suggested he may have to reluctantly look out of Worcester for a new HQ unless he could find a location big enough.

Mr Grey has stressed that leaving Worcester was never his intention.

In the end he secured approval for the Berkeley Way site, but decided to move quickly on buying a new base outright to expand now.

The manufacturer, which makes vacuum cleaners, power tools and other appliances, was named Britain's third-fastest growing on a profits basis by The Sunday Times earlier this year and has launched six new products in recent weeks.

In yesterday’s piece on Gtech we referred to the site being green belt – we would like to point out the site is not classified as Green Belt nationally, but does form part of Worcester City Council’s official designated Green Network.

The council’s planning policy is that the Green Network should remain as open space, but it is flexible.

The planning permission over the Berkeley Way land will remain in place for three years once the Section 106 agreement has been signed, a legal document spelling out the financial contribution in areas like transport infrastructure.