MORE than 1,000 workers are set to return to work as a major firm prepares to re-open, according to the leader of Basildon Council.

New Holland tractor plant in Cranes Farm Road, Basildon, is among the firms which will be re-opening this week.

The firm is one of the borough’s biggest employers has been trading in the town for about 50 years.

Gavin Callaghan, Labour leader of Basildon Council posted a video on social media announcing the plan.

Mr Callaghan also confirmed a number of takeaways, construction firms and hardware stores will also be throwing open their doors too.

Mr Callaghan said in the video: “I wanted to take the time to run through what we are likely to see in the coming days across our five towns in the borough.

“Now it is true we will see more shops and more work places starting to open this week, they will only do so under strict conditions.

“We are going to see more and more businesses re-open, these will be businesses that were never actually told to close in the first place but they chose to close five weeks ago when the crisis started.

“More of our businesses are asking their employees to return to work; places like the tractor plant.”

New Holland was contacted for official comment on their re-opening plans a number of times by the Echo yesterday but no response was received.

Speaking after the video Mr Callaghan urged people to continue to respect the Government’s guidelines on distancing and essential travel.

Meanwhile, bosses at Bourn Hall Fertility Clinic, in Wickford, are also gearing up to reopen.

The world-leading firm confirmed plans are being put in place on a robust plan including the use of personal protection equipment which would ensure the safety of patients and staff.