With a population of 887,000, the area is considered the most successful of the five sub- regions that make up England’s North West, with an eighth of the people in the region contributing a sixth of its economic output.


GVA (gross value added) and economic activity levels are significantly above the regional and national averages, while unemployment rates are below them.


The level of entrepreneurship - judged by the number of new VAT registrations - is also much higher than the North West as a whole.


In total, the Cheshire and Warrington economy is worth around £22 billion a year and supports 429,000 jobs. The area is fortunate in having a broad business base, but there are particular strengths in chemicals, petrochemicals, automotive, nuclear and energy, manufacturing, financial and professional services, creative industries and tourism.


All the companies in the sub-region benefit from exceptional transport links by road, rail, sea and air and the availability of a wide range of high-quality development sites and business parks.


Cheshire and Warrington companies also have local access to a skilled and flexible workforce and a comprehensive range of business support services, including excellent education and training resources.


Cheshire and Warrington is made up of three areas - Warrington Borough Council and the authorities of Cheshire West and Chester Council and Cheshire East Council.


To the north of the sub-region, Warrington is currently home to around 8,000 businesses employing 115,000 people, including well-known corporate names like Rolls Royce, Betfred, AMEC, New Balance and United Utilities.


The borough of Cheshire West and Chester is home to over 13,500 businesses with particular strengths in financial services, advanced manufacturing, retail, food and drink together with clusters of international specialists in electricity networks and pioneers in biofuels.


To the west, Ellesmere Port combines a successful industrial and commercial heritage with excellent shopping facilities and tourist attractions.


Key business names include Interserve and energy group Urenco, as well as big hitters Vauxhall Motors - the largest local employer - and Essar Oil and Gas, new operators of the massive Stanlow oil refinery. Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlet is also the largest shopping centre of its type in Europe,


South of Ellesmere Port is Chester, often regarded as the county capital. The city’s tourism attractions, fine shopping, top quality hotels and restaurants are underpinned by solid professional and financial service sectors.


Chester Business Park also remains an important business location. Leading companies based at the site include Bank of America (MBNA), M&S Money and Bristol-Myers Squibb.


Cheshire East meanwhile, offers stunning countryside and famous towns. These include the railway hub of Crewe, beautiful market towns such as Nantwich and Knutsford and historic old mill towns like Bollington and Macclesfield.


Despite the predominantly rural nature of the area, a number of world-class business names have major operations in Cheshire East including Bentley Motors, BASF, Siemens, AstraZeneca and Virgin Trains.


The Cheshire and Warrington economy as a whole also benefits from the presence of major business operations just outside the area, for example Daresbury Innovation Centre Science and Innovation Campus and the Airbus factory at Broughton in Flintshire.


“Crewe has been home to Bentley Motors for over sixty years. As our cars have evolved over that time so has the local area such that it continues to provide an unbeatable combination of highly skilled labour, excellent transport links, educational facilities and is, above all, a great place to live for our 4000-strong workforce. We will continue to export from Cheshire to the rest of the world.”


Christine Gaskell, MBE | Member of the Board, Personnel


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