Local businesses are being invited to find out more about a new service which will be driving forward investment in North Staffordshire.
Using the Make It Stoke-on-Trent brand Stoke-on-Trent City Council is launching a new investment development service which will help boost job creation and encourage investment as part of a £1.5billion regeneration plan in North Staffordshire.
On Friday, 30th July, businesses from the North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce along with councillors and other interested parties are invited to find out about the four-strong council team at an event at the Genesis Centre, in Chatterley Valley, Tunstall.
Councillor Mervin Smith, Stoke-on-Trent City Council cabinet member for city development (regeneration), said: “I am pleased to see that the city council has a dedicated team capitalising on the marketing of North Staffordshire. The service will provide one point of call for all queries relating to investment in the region helping to liaise with companies and provide information on premises, grants, planning and highways issues, recruitment and training of staff, housing, education and other issues that influence a company’s decision on relocation.
“This is critical to the building of a business base in Stoke-on-Trent and helping to bring jobs for our people.”
The new service, comprising of three investment development officers and a manager, has been created following an internal reorganisation of the council’s economic development team. It will provide a dedicated North Staffordshire service as well as working with partners at Staffordshire County Council and their countywide Instaffs service.
Councillor Smith added: “If we are to make a difference then it is essential that we focus resources to bring investment into the area and get business to relocate here rather than choosing other locations across the country. This dedicated service is something we haven’t had before and something which will make a real difference to the regeneration of our city.”
The new Investor Development Service will provide a single point of contact for enquirers. It will also provide key data from public and private sector organisations enabling investors to make an informed decision about our location. The team, which is expected to be fully in post by the end of August, will maximise economic activity from indigenous and incoming businesses, with a positive effect on employment and local prosperity.
Stoke-on-Trent has one of the prime business locations in the UK with great links to Manchester, Birmingham and London. It is the economic hub of North Staffordshire, which has a population of over 500,000. Prime development land is available at a variety of locations such as Sideway – the premier employment site in the city, Trentham Lakes and Etruria Valley. There are also a range of office spaces to meet a variety of business needs from small start-ups to large manufacturing companies. All of the sites offer the following advantages:
- a range of plot sizes with room for expansion
- four regional airports within one hours drive
- 24 hour working environments
- good 24 hour access to the motorway system
- low operating costs
- availability of labour
- access to London with a 90 minute train journey
- qualifies for assisted area grant assistance
The city’s excellent road and rail connections, further enhanced through the construction of the new A50 and the West Coast Main Line upgrading, make it increasingly attractive to firms serving the North West and West Midlands.
More information on the opportunities in North Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent is available at www.makeitstoke.com.
