Downham Market loses ‘Data Park’ scheme - jobs and investment gone

The whole of West Norfolk was set to benefit from a multimillion pound investment at Downham Market promising thousands of jobs and improved transport links.

The Centre for Advanced Knowledge Engineering was supposed to attract businesses relocating from around the UK and overseas. But last year Aventa Capital Partners faced winding-up procedures from creditors. And it emerged that Aventa was linked to a series of failed infrastructure projects.

Fortunately their request for public money for the Downham Market project was turned down. However, our Conservative MP had hosted a reception at the House of Commons to promote the scheme.

Josie Ratcliffe, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson, said: "I'm alarmed that our MP chose to publicise this speculative proposal at Westminster. We should be promoting genuine employers who are relocating or expanding here and boosting employment in West Norfolk."