"Hello Northwest" scheme brings in 14 firms

THE NORTH North West Development Agency has said that its “Hello Northwest” initiative offering free office space to people relocating to the region has already led to 14 new businesses setting up shop in the region.

The initiative, which started in January and is offered through inward investment agencies MIDAS and The Mersey Partnership, has seen nine new firms set up in Greater Manchester, four open up at Daresbury and one company opening in Cheshire.

The space has been offered through serviced office providers Avanta, Bruntwood, Manchester Science Parks, Liverpool Science Park and the Daresbury Science & Innovation Campus.

NWDA chief executive Steven Broomhead said: “The Hello Northwest scheme is proving to be very popular with investors and I hope that this success continues.

“The scheme provides investors with the opportunity to test what the region has to offer, it is building on the region’s strong track record for inward investment and will help us to secure even more overseas investment.”

Among the firms to have relocated so far include consultancy P3EC, design agency Milk Digital and Chinese lighting specialist JB Deco.

Milk Digital managing director Oliver Gibbs said that his firm had faced a straight choice between Manchester and Barcelona, but chose the former because of the support made available to it.

“We’ve been delighted with our move and the understanding shown by MIDAS towards our individual business needs.”