The former Metal Box factory is one of Neath's most iconic buildings and now it is being given a new future with the hope people will be employed there once more.
The site, which extends to 55 acres, was occupied for more than 70 years by a metal box container factory know locally as "the Box".
But since its most recent occupier, the Crown packaging company, closed in 2016 and laid off 245 staff members, the future of the historic building in Milland Road has seemed doubtful and it has remained vacant for years. However, work is now being carried out on the former factory to transform it into something that will last for years to come. Neath Port Talbot Council has been refurbishing the building's interior to turn it into a "business zone", with the aim of creating new jobs.
Building work is still on-going at the site, but there are currently a number of refurbished offices now available to let. The refurbished offices include high specification, pod-type interiors, car parking, "ultra-fast" broadband, shower facilities and a "distinctive entrance lobby".
They are also advertised as being within a short distance of Neath train station and the M4. The building is just nine miles away from Swansea and 40 miles from Cardiff. Accommodation spreads over three floors, with six separate "cores" for occupation of the whole area or by separate wing suites.
With support from the Welsh Government’s targeted regeneration investment programme, Neath Port Talbot Council bought the site in 2019 with the aim of creating up to 400 jobs. Sevenoaks Modular purchased approximately 50% of the production area of the building, giving the project a "major boost".
Refurbishment work has focused on the modernisation of the office accommodation, with the work carried out by Port Talbot-based contractor Andrew Scott Ltd.
Councillor Annette Wingrave, Neath Port Talbot Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and sustainable development, said: “The initial purchase of the former factory site signified the council’s commitment to Neath and its communities to ensure there would be opportunities for job creation close to the town centre and to our nearby valleys communities.
“The idea was to work with local businesses to provide offices and other facilities to create expansion and growth opportunities and it’s a real achievement that so much progress has been made on the site despite the Covid-19 pandemic.
“We now have offices ready to let at the site with more potential job creating space yet to be transformed – it will be a major help in this area’s road to recovery from the pandemic.”
Find out about coronavirus cases in your area:
Although much of the refurbishment work has been done, a number of phases remain, including the re-roofing of the remaining section of office space, which is due to start in a few months’ time.
The site also has a former industrial production area which is suitable for a range of uses within the scope of manufacturing.
