by Alan Quick

MOLE Avon Trading, the long-established agricultural merchants with Country Stores in Crediton, Axminster and Honiton, is progressing well with the development of its long-awaited new 30,000 square feet Country Store in Crediton, which will incorporate retail selling space, warehouse and head office space.

Following the successful completion of phase one of the multi-million pound new store development on a 3.5 acre site at Wellparks off Exeter Road, on the outskirts of the town, Mole Avon is delighted to confirm the appointment of Devon Contractors Ltd, who along with consultants, Alder King, commenced work on the primary phase of the development this month.

“This is Mole Avon’s biggest venture, to-date, and we are delighted to be marking another milestone in our ambitious development of the new flagship store,” says Mike Haines, Managing Director of Mole Avon.

He added: “We have invested in our Okehampton and Axminster sites over recent years and it is great that now, with this site at Wellparks, we are continuing the journey that will deliver a solid platform on which to support our sustained growth.”

Mr Haines continued: “We are firmly committed to helping boost the local economy by creating new jobs, by working with local suppliers in the construction of the new store and by holding fast to our core commitment of serving our traditional farmer base whilst increasing the breadth of the products and services we offer the wider community.”

John Lee, chairman of the board of directors for Mole Avon Trading Limited, said: “I am delighted that Mole Avon has taken another significant step forward in the process of relocating our Crediton store with the next phase of works at the Wellparks site.”

Mr Lee added: “This marks a big step forward for the company and is great news for the communities we serve, the people currently working with us and for those we will need to recruit in the near future.”

Andrew Edmondson, partner in Alder King’s building consultancy team, commented: “Having been appointed from the outset as the Project Designer for this scheme, it’s very satisfying to now see construction getting underway.

“We will continue to co-ordinate and manage the construction works to ensure the new store is delivered satisfactorily, on time and within budget.”

Nick England, Director of Devon Contractors Ltd, added: “This ambitious new store will enable Mole Avon to continue to grow in a sustainable manner, whilst retaining the key elements that make it the successful business that’s been trading in Crediton for the past 40-plus years and we are excited to be a key part of making this happen and will be working hard to ensure the project is finished to the highest standard and targeting an early delivery of this exciting project.”

The company has been on its Mill Street site since the early 1970’s and has been eager to move to a larger site for some years.

Mole Avon Trading Limited is owned by 1,000 shareholders, each shareholder owning an equal share in the company.

It employs 125 people across the three sites.