Cheshire LEP sets out blueprint for growth

THE business-led organisation driving economic success in Cheshire is taking its message to London in a bid to woo more inward investment.

Christine Gaskell, chair of the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership, told TheBusinessDesk.com that it would be welcoming MPs – including Chancellor George Osborne (who represents the Tatton constituency) – as well as executives from some “global businesses” to the event in Whitehall in May.

“We want to spread the word that Cheshire is a fantastic place to locate a business – we have the facilities and skills and it is a fabulous place to live as well.”

The LEP celebrated  its first anniversary yesterday, and has set out a strategy for economic growth for the next three years, based around manufacturing, skills, SMEs and the rural economy.

The six core areas its business plan is focusing on are: business growth, infrastructure and connectivity, the rural economy, a skilled and productive workforce, promoting the sub-region and deregulation.

The blueprint also highlights the development of super-fast broadband, the HS2 rail project as key opportunities, along with supporting Peel Group’s Atlantic Gateway masterplan.

Mrs Gaskell, whose day job is HP director at Bentley Motors in Crewe, as explained: “We have made good progress in a year – we started off with a blank canvas and with no guidelines and that has helped – we have set our own agenda.

“With a £22bn economy and the potential to out-perform the rest of the North West and other regions of the UK, our work is focused on ensuring the sub-region continues to attract investment and growth.

“Our economy has a diverse base: with genuine world-class excellence from motor vehicles to pharmaceuticals, advanced science to logistics, financial and professional services to creative industries.

“Our ambition is for Cheshire and Warrington to be the best performing sub-regional economy outside the Greater South East and the preferred location for business because of our investment locations, connectivity, highly-qualified workforce and excellent quality of life,” she added. 

The LEP’s growth plan was officially unveiled at its first annual conference at Daresbury Park Hotel.