Miranda Barker Chief executive
@elancschamber
chamberelancs.co.uk
Samlesbury Enterprise Zone
ZONING IN ON JOB CREATING OPPORTUNTIES
Lancashire has submitted a bid to central government for a new Investment Zone which it says has the potential to generate tens of thousands of jobs and add billions of pounds to the county’s economy.
Blackpool has also thrown its hat into the ring with two potential sites for zones put forward to Westminster.
The Lancashire proposal outlines plans for a zone that would span the county using a series of interlinked ‘enterprise corridors’ and employment clusters.
Investment zones are a new government initiative which aims to attract investment and unlock development and economic activity. Lancashire was included in a shortlist of 38 areas where the government is considering establishing the zones.
According to the government, the zones would seek to have planning flexibility to assist with their development and tax relief for businesses who relocate there.
Those behind the bid say the proposed zone would sit at the heart of an emerging pan- Lancashire growth plan called ‘Lancashire 2050’, which also includes Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool councils.
The sites and clusters are located within “corridors of enterprise” that reflect Lancashire’s wider economic development programmes, key sector activities and major infrastructure priorities, with each strategic site designed to bring development forward.
The proposal has been put forward by the county council alongside district councils and other local partners.
County Hall says that they have been designed to “complement and align” with bids by Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool.
The Lancashire Investment Zone area would be made up of three interlinked strategic areas.
A ‘North-South Enterprise Corridor’ would span from as far north as Heysham, through central Lancashire and down into West Lancashire.
The ‘East Lancashire Enterprise Corridor’ would cover sites from Samlesbury and across into Burnley, Hyndburn and Pendle.
A ‘Fylde Coast Enterprise Corridor’ would cover areas across the Fylde, Wyre, and Blackpool coast.
Sector specialisms would also align with wider regional and national clusters such as nuclear, cyber technology and advanced engineering and manufacturing.
Phillippa Williamson, leader of the county council, said: “We’re able to present a strong proposal to establish an investment zone in Lancashire that demonstrates the scale of opportunities across our county.”
We have identified
two sites that fit the criteria and have made a strong submission
Blackpool has also submitted its proposals for two potential investment zones – one in an area of central Blackpool and the second covering the existing airport enterprise zone.
The central area covers a substantial part of Blackpool’s inner area, from Talbot Gateway in the north to Bloomfield Road in the south. It incorporates various sites used for retail, office, leisure, light industry and housing.
The council says it was chosen to incorporate many of the development sites either currently underway or earmarked for development soon within Blackpool’s central area. The airport area covers the existing enterprise zone but the council has extended its boundary.
Lynn Williams, Blackpool Council leader, said: “We have identified two sites that fit the criteria and have made a strong submission. We will now wait to hear the outcome.”
LANCASHIREBUSINESSVIEW.CO.UK
ENERGY BILLS ENERGY BILLS ENERGY BILLS!
So not growth, growth, growth, or education, education, education, or any other three word emphatic from former prime ministers.
What is absolutely vital we get government to address now is the energy bills of our businesses.
Amidst budgetary chaos, whether mini or maxi or totally repealed, the crucial support that must be maintained for the sake of our local firms and their staff, is the Energy Bill Relief Scheme.
Conversations are already being had in fraught tones about just who will be priority sectors or firms when it comes to the end of its six month term next March when continuation is planned to be scaled back to just the most vulnerable customers.
How can we prioritise 20 jobs at a football club above 20 at a hotel or 20 at a printers? Energy price hikes at the end of fixed term contracts seem equally to apply to all.
Meanwhile, pressure is being applied by us to encourage ministers to ensure other elements of energy bills are also managed – how can an energy firm handling supply to one of our local business parks justify standing charges rocketing from 83p to over £13.60 – per day? These pipes are not gold plated!
Sometimes, in fact more often than not, it feels like our businesses deliver their expert products and services successfully to their national and global markets, despite the government’s actions, rather than assisted by them. But this time a really crucial part can be played.
I do hope we get a knowledgeable, supportive and above all stable government sometime soon, so they can get back to governing. This costly side-show has gone on long enough!
For help with energy efficiency measures, free of charge contact
info@chamberelancs.co.uk or visit
chamberelancs.co.uk
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