Pfizer - A Year On

Exactly a year after Pfizer announced it was pulling out of Sandwich, putting 2,400 jobs at risk, things are looking a lot more positive according to local MP Laura Sandys.

The rep for Thanet South says almost 1,000 jobs have now been secured and Pfizer is in advance talks with a potential buyer for the Research and Develop site which was recently renamed Discovery Park.

A taskforce set up in the wake of the announcement has also secured millions of pounds of funding for the area through the Regional Growth Fund, won Enterprise Zone status ensuring tax breaks and benefits for new businesses, and secured extra high speed rail services from Sandwich and Deal, via Dover, providing better, faster links with London.

Ms Sandys said: "What seemed like a disastrous day a year ago looks a lot more promising.

"There is much more to do but we are on track and demonstrated that Thanet and Sandwich have an economic future worth investing in and a skills-base that is attractive to any employer."