TWO of Devizes most prestigious manufacturers could benefit from a land deal done by Wiltshire Council.

Both Wadworth brewery and furniture firm Smallbones of Devizes announced at the end of last year that they were looking for new sites.

Wiltshire Council leader Philip Whitehead said this week that he had them plus a third unnamed Devizes business in mind when the deal for 21 acres of land at Horton Road was struck.

But Wadworth CEO Chris Welham said the brewery was still keeping an open mind about where to build a new brewery.

He said: “This is just one option we are looking at. We are still considering whether or not to keep the red brick building in Northgate Street as offices and build just a brewery in a new place or whether to move everything.

“But we are very grateful to Philip Whitehead and Wiltshire Council for their support.”

He hoped to be able to announce more definite plans by the spring.

Smallbone director Bob Moore by contrast said his company, which at the moment is based on the Hopton Industrial Estate, was ready to move ahead.

He said: “We are in the planning stages right now and are making plans for build, size, infrastructure etc.”

He said he expected to be able to announce clearer details within the next few weeks.

Cllr Whitehead said the council had stepped in to buy the Horton Road land from a developer and the adjoining skid pan owned by Wiltshire Police to speed up relocation of three Devizes firms.

The developer had not wanted to sell the land in three packages and so the council bought the whole site and will then sell-on the different parcels.

Cllr Whitehead said: “The council is trying to do everything it can to make it easier for firms in Wiltshire than want to stay in Wiltshire to find the right sites.”