THE MP for North West Hampshire says he ‘will do all he can’ to help Ocado become fully operational in Andover once again.

After a fire tore through and destroyed the Ocado warehouse in Andover last February, the company lodged a planning application to allow it to build a temporary facility in the town.

The facility would operate from the car park of the old warehouse at plot 54 in Walworth Industrial Estate, allowing the site to remain “partially operational” and to “maintain a level of employment in the area”.

And local MP Kit Malthouse says he is working with the company to help it achieve its goals.

He said: “I have met with and am in regular contact with Ocado senior management and they have reaffirmed their commitment to the area on a number of occasions since the fire.”

Mr Malthouse stressed that while the plan “is not enough to guarantee the long-term future of the site,” he says Ocado claim the temporary site would allow them “room to start working towards longer term solutions”.

Test Valley Borough Council has also confirmed it is “working closely” with the employer.

Leader of the council Councillor Phil North said: “As a large employer in the town, Ocado is very important to Andover and we are working closely with them regarding their temporary and long term plans for operating from their site.”

Mr Malthouse added: “I too am obviously extremely keen for Ocado to be fully operational again as soon as possible and will do all I can to help facilitate this in any way I can.”