INTEREST in Bromsgrove's new technology park is booming more than a year before the site opens for business.

Contracts are expected to be signed before Christmas and Peter Michael, the town's economic development chief, says that if serious enquiries convert into agreements approaching half the 23-acre site is already taken.

Confidential negotiations are continuing but the type of high technology company looking to locate in Bromsgrove include robotics, the defence industry, marine exploration and television production.

"The level of interest is fantastic. If these convert into agreements 40 per cent of the site could be taken which is remarkable at this early stage," said Mr Michael, who is responsible for Bromsgrove's town centre and economic development.

"Things are looking very good but I want to be cautious because at the moment these are serious expressions of interest not firm agreements. However, I am optimistic and am being pushed by companies who want to come to the town. Hopefully, the first contracts will be signed before Christmas."

The Technology Park, on the former Garringtons site, is predicted to create up to 300 direct jobs and is seen as vital to the future prosperity of the town.

It is expected that the park will act as a catalyst generating additional employment in the supply and manufacturing chain.

"Bromsgrove was traditionally very dependent upon the motor industry but has successfully diversified. It is strong in the services sector with jobs in professional services, banking, accountancy, hotel and catering. It has the highest level of business tourism in Worcestershire.

"The town is much less exposed than it used to be to traditional manufacturing, engineering and agriculture but we need high technology, high value industry and this is what the Technology Park will provide," said Mr Michael.

It had initially been thought that businesses taking up residence on the park would be small and local but the Advertiser can reveal some enquiries have been for bigger sites than anticipated and at least one expression of interest is from the British subsidiary of a major European company.

Work on the Technology Park is expected to start early next year with the first companies coming on site in autumn 2005.