Work and Money

Nestled in an industrial corner of Stratford, H Forman & Son has supplied smoked salmon to London's top restaurants for more than 100 years.

Plans for Olympic development in the area had threatened to relocate the company, which employs around 50 people, much further away from Central London.

The design of the new factory

But the salmon supplier has struck a deal with the London Development Agency which means that its new site will be just two hundred metres away, in an area of Stratford known as 'Fish Island'.

The new factory will be shaped like a piece of salmon, with a roof looking like salmon skin. It will also include a delicatessen and a visitor's centre. Construction is expected to be completed by July 2007.

The cost of relocation is being shared between H Forman & Son and the London Development Agency (LDA).

Lance Forman, managing director of H Forman & Son, said: "My staff and I are just relieved that after such a long negotiation with the LDA that we can now look forward to a future with business as usual. I hope now that that the rest of the affected businesses in and around Marshgate Lane can soon reach an agreement too on their relocation."

Businesses in the Olympic development zone accounting for three-quarters of jobs now have confirmed relocation sites, according to the LDA.

"We are working closely with the remaining businesses and we are confident that we can deliver the land on time," said Manny Lewis, Chief Executive of the LDA.