NEARLY 50 new jobs could be created in the spring with work now underway on two new industrial units.

The two 5,000 sq ft units are being built as an extension to the Canalside Business Park on Boroughbridge Road, Ripon,

The work is being carried out by contractor Recobuild and represents a £1.25m investment in industrial premises that will be ready for occupation by tenants early in 2015.

The new development, which has already been instrumental in creating 10 new jobs at Bill Plant School of Motoring, is also attracting enquiries from new businesses to the area, with tenants likely to employ between 35 and 45 staff in the light industrial units.

Wholesale supplier, Yesss Electrical, and hardware and tools specialist,

Screwfix, have both been based on the site since they each took possession of a 2,500 sq ft unit in 2013.

The managing director of Canalside Developments, Jonathan Lupton, said: “We have seen a great deal of progress in the past weeks and are on schedule to have the new units completed by the spring.

He added: “We have had enquiries from building services and light construction firms, similar to businesses that are already located locally, but the units are really flexible and can be tailored to suit most depot, warehouse and workshop uses.”

Architect and project manager Kevin Baker said: “We’re expecting more enquiries from local firms looking to expand into bigger premises as well as from businesses that want a new base here in Ripon.”

The new site has already seen extensive landscaping works with over 2,000 silver birch, blackthorn and hawthorn trees and shrubs planted around the perimeter.