A MINI jobs bonanza was announced for Thornbury in 2006, as a major transport company set up a regional base in the town.

Logistics company Gist, which delivered to Marks and Spencer food stores, would be creating 150 new jobs over the space of a year with the creation of its 100,000 sq ft depot in the town.

The operation would handle deliveries to M&S food stores across the South West and also South Wales.

The new depot on a 14.6 acre site in Short Way on the town’s industrial estate, was part of a contract awarded the year before, extending the firm’s partnership with Britain’s leading retailer until 2012.

Gist had owned the site since the mid-1990s to support delivery operations for brewers Carlsberg Tetley, supermarket firm Budgens and BOC Gases, but would see a full conversion for M&S food operations.

Michael Chambers, M&S account direct at Gist, said: “We take huge pride in our long and successful partnership with M&S, which has been down to the excellent teamwork of all the staff on the account.

“Thornbury will be our seventh M&S dedicated depot and by the end of the year we expect it to serve a large number of M&S stores across the South West.”

With the Thornbury depot becoming fully operational, the company announced they would look to sign up people at all levels, including warehouse team members, managers, administrators and drivers.

Further recruitment was expected as it was announced the operation would look to expand the following year.

Thornbury mayor Cllr Shirley Holloway said: “This is fantastic news for Thornbury. It will provide more local jobs for local people and reduce the need to travel out of town. “

“A distribution centre for such a high profile firm as M&S also helps put the town on the business map and attract other companies.”