Businesses, developers and investors from across the country came together to learn more about the investment possibilities in Worcestershire.
The event called ‘World Class Worcestershire’, attracted an audience of over 100, and showcased the range of development, employment and retail sites currently available in Worcestershire.
This included aspirational sites, for example, alongside the Worcester riverfront, brown field regeneration opportunities, retail sites in key locations and the four large sites, also known as ‘Game changers’: Worcester Growth Corridor, which includes Worcester Six – a commercial development site just off Junction 6 of the M5 considered to be one of the best underdeveloped sites between Birmingham and Bristol, Redditch Eastern Gateway – a 100,000sq.m employment site just a 20 minute drive to Birmingham International Airport, Malvern Hills Science Park – an existing site with the potential for further expansion and South Kidderminster Enterprise Park, an 80,000sq.m of employment development and new housing.
The audience heard how road, rail and broadband improvements will enhance access to these and other employment and development sites across the County. Representatives from the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, Worcestershire County Council and District Councils, the University of Worcester and Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce were also on hand to provide further information and answer any detailed questions.
Clare Marchant, Chief Executive at Worcestershire County Council said: “Worcestershire is well placed as a serious contender to some of the bigger cities across the country, to invest in and become a centre of excellence for skills and a forward thinking economy. There is a wealth of opportunities available to anyone looking to either relocate or to expand an existing business into the county.
“Development and employment sites are among the top enquiries that the county council receive from businesses looking to come to the area. We are proud to be able to present the county as a thriving place to live, work and socialise – these events are a great chance for us to show Worcestershire off at its best and to pull in investment at the same time.
“The County Council is committed to playing its part in reaching our World Class Worcestershire objectives and has alone invested more than £50million into key infrastructure projects aiming to drive growth. This is in addition to what our partners, including the LEP, are investing.”
One of the highlights of the event was a keynote speech from Lord Mervyn King, the former Governor of the Bank of England. Lord King spoke passionately of his admiration for the county and the Cricket Club – which he has just been awarded the role of Patron for.
Included in his speech Lord King said that Worcestershire has a uniqueness of providing an urban and rural mix. He emphasised that this is where Worcestershire has an enormous advantage.
Gary Woodman, Executive Director of the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership said: “Worcestershire is home to many successful companies with many others recognising the opportunities available.”
“We have the development sites, the skilled staff and the desire to support investors, developers and employers to make Worcestershire their business base. It was, therefore, a pleasure to welcome so many people to see first-hand why Worcestershire really is a world class place to do business as well as a fantastic place to live and visit.”
For anyone interested in finding out more about the various development and employment sites within the county, please visit www.investinworcestershire.com/resource, contact the Worcestershire LEP on 01905 672 700 or by email: enquiries@investinworcestershire.com