THE former Railway Club in Victoria Road has been sold to an expanding Exmouth medical supplier, creating more jobs in the New Year. k

THE former Railway Club in Victoria Road has been sold to an expanding Exmouth medical supplier, creating more jobs in the New Year.

Since 2000, the building was the GWRSA club, which closed its doors for the final time last month, and was put on the market with an asking price of �400,000.

The building was previously also Exmouth Police Station and magistrate court, and has now been purchased by Oncall Medical Supplies, which says it has the intention of growing the business

Oncall currently employ 14 people - 12 of whom live in Exmouth and one in Sidmouth.

The company has grown significantly since it was launched in 2001, by Ed and Shadi Russell working from a small room in South Street.

The husband and wife team's business now ranks amongst the top 10 companies in the UK providing medical equipment and disposable supplies to the primary care market.

Ed Russell said: "We are delighted to be staying in Exmouth and collectively contributing to the local economy.

"We are on target to meet our financial forecast for next year, which is expected to exceed �5m with the help of at least three more people added to the workforce."

He said the property climate in Exmouth has made acquiring suitable premises very difficult for small businesses looking to grow because developers have snapped up many similar-sized town centre properties to convert into residential dwellings.

He added: "Many businesses have struggled to meet the ever-increasing cost associated with business premises and have found downsizing or moving the business outside of Exmouth to Exeter and beyond a more financially attractive option."

Shadi said: "It was very important for us to stay in the town. On average we are saving more than a �1,000 each in travelling time and expenses, leaving us to spend more time and money in sunny Exmouth.