Chinese government delegation spokesman Yamin FangChinese government plans to buy Renault building for £17 million, set up hundreds of electronic and furniture companies there employing LOCAL people.

THOUSANDS of new jobs are set to come to Swindon in a £17-million deal with the Chinese Government.

The Chinese plan to buy the empty Renault building used as a backdrop to the James Bond movie A View To A Kill was confirmed yesterday by Yamin Fang, spokesman for a 30-strong Chinese trade delegation.

The group was in Swindon to finalise the deal.

"We are buying and we shall be setting up hundreds of firms, not just a few, on the site," said Mr Fang.

"We have agreed to pay £17 million and the contract will be signed at the end of this month.

"Completion of all legalities will then take a further three months, which is usual practice."

The firms, although Chinese-owned, would employ thousands of local people, said Mr Fang.

The businesses will be all sorts, but those specialising in electronic goods and furniture will be particularly heavily represented.

In effect, the Renault site will become a European trading post for a range of Chinese companies.

The companies will manufacture their goods in China, then ship or fly them to the UK and their distribution hub in West Swindon.

Conservative leader of Swindon Council, Coun Mike Bawden (Old Town and Lawns), is delighted the Communist Chinese Government wants to invest in Swindon.

Coun Bawden said: "This really shows what a high profile Swindon is getting in international business circles. Not only is it putting Swindon on the map, it is helping to boost prosperity."

However, Coun Bawden said that he could not become "officially involved" until a planning application for a change of use to the site had been submitted. This will not happen until the deal is concluded.

The delegation has been in Swindon for two days. They were entertained by the Mayor, Coun Derek Benfield (Covingham and Nythe) at a civic reception yesterday.

This was followed by a lunch banquet at the Civic Centre, headed by the Mayor.

Today, the trade delegates were due to visit the site.

The Renault building opened in 1983, winning international acclaim for its futuristic architecture. It was designed by the world-renowned architect Sir Norman Foster and opened by Catherine Lalumiere, the French Secretary of State for Consumer Affairs at the time.

The Grade II listed building, covering 226,000 sq ft, has been empty since the French car company transferred its distribution plant to the East Midlands in November 2001.

James Lockhart, of letting agents Whitmarch, Preece Lockhart, said the building had been renovated ready for the sale.

Dennis Grant, chief executive of Swindon Chamber of Commerce, believes thousands of jobs may well come but not overnight.

He said: "Of course it's good news, but we have to be realistic. The kind of operation that the Chinese will bring to Swindon will involve assembly and distribution. As the businesses grow, so more jobs will come on the market. In fact, it's probably a good thing that it doesn't happen too quickly because there is a skill shortage in Swindon."

Click here for Wiltshire Jobs advertisements

Michael Litchfield