AN award-winning food seasoning producer devastated by a huge fire last year has begun the rebuild of its factory and headquarters, on the site where its previous building was destroyed.

Construction has begun on the new and improve facilities belonging to Gordon Rhodes Ltd at the site in Chase Way on the Eurocam Technology Park.

On Wednesday, August 9, 2017, an electronic overheating complication led to an enormous blaze which destroyed the company’s offices, factory and tonnes of stock.

Over the past 40 years, Gordon Rhodes, a part of the Dalesman Group, has produced a range of spice and seasoning mixes, supplied to butchers, bakers, processors and consumers, many of which have won awards for their quality.

It is one of the UK’s largest independent suppliers, and didn’t let the devastation of the blaze hamper the business, moving to temporary facilities around the city, sourcing machinery and ingredients to meet orders on time and maintaining the high industry standards necessary and quality of product.

Work first began last month on rebuilding the site in Chase Way, with groundwork beginning in October, and now the steel framework for the building is beginning to take shape.

A spokesperson for the Dalesman Group said: “The new site is being designed to future proof the award-winning business with Dalesman turning its devastating loss into a new opportunity.

“With the installation of even more advanced technology, new processing equipment and increased capabilities the group aims not only to provide the same high-quality products it has for the past 40 years but also seeks new and innovative emerging markets to meet with future growth plans.

“Friday, October 2, was a landmark day for the Rhodes family and all those that work for The Dalesman Group, as groundwork was officially started to reinstate the head office.

“The company would like to thank Bradford Council for the support that they have been given through Business Rates Relief on their temporary home as well as the assistance given which led them to be awarded £125,000 in funding from the LEP Business Growth Programme to help with the rebuilding of their new premises.”

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, leader of Bradford Council, helped start the work, and said: “It is great to see this well established Bradford family business getting back on its feet after such a devastating fire and I was delighted to be invited to the official re-opening.”

Cllr Alex Ross-Shaw, executive member for regeneration and planning, added: “We were happy to be able to assist Gordon Rhodes Ltd with Business Rate Relief to make sure they were able to continue to trade from their temporary premises.

“Our officers worked with the company to help them secure funding from the Business Growth Programme to support their ambition to grow the business providing more long-term jobs.

“This is exactly the type of growth that we are working towards in Bradford.”