300 new jobs after Durabuys factory?

Three hundred new jobs could come to Batley after Dura Beds bought the former Layezee Beds factory.
Dura Beds.Dura Beds.
Dura Beds.

Managing director Imran Akhtar has said the first 50 vacancies will be advertised within six to eight months after his company purchased the disused Soothill Lane site.

Applications for a range of skilled work such as junior managers, drivers and sewers will also open within two months, he confirmed.

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Mr Akhtar said: “We are delighted to have completed this purchase and to commit our future to the town.

“We are going to bring a lot more employment into the area. Once we’ve fully moved there and are fully-functional there will probably be around 300 jobs.”

The expansion – which will increase the workforce from around 200 to 500 employees – comes after the business’ sales have grown by 40 per cent over the past three years.

Dura Beds needed to move to the bigger neighbouring site because of the pressure its growth has put on manufacturing and warehouse space.

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The former Layezee Beds site, which was built in the 1980s, is one of the largest purpose-built factories in the country.

Batley Business Association chairman Andrew Marsden said it is great to see Dura Beds expanding in its own town.

“It’s not just flying the flag locally, it’s flying the flag nationally and internationally. It’s more work for people in the town and it’s a boost to the economy,” he said.

“I think you’ve got to look at the bigger picture in Batley. It’s not just about the town centre.

“The industry going on around the town centre is just as valuable as any of the shops in Commercial Street.”

Layezee Beds employed 325 people at the factory until 2006.

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