It was a very positive start to the year as this Wednesday saw the ‘ribbon cutting’ ceremony and launch of the long-awaited £43 million Etruria Valley Link Road (EVLR) and the official unveiling of the amazing Spitfire sculpture created by engineers and apprentices at Newcastle based KMF Group. The Spitfire sculpture pays tribute to its designer Reginald Mitchell, born only a few miles away in Butt Lane.
The 1km road connects the Wolstanton junction on the A500 with Festival Park and St Modwen Park Stoke Central and includes newly constructed bridges over the West Coast Mainline, Trent and Mersey Canal and Fowlea Brook.
The project should improve connectivity, reduce congestion and unlock access to land and infrastructure to support the creation of hundreds of jobs.
Funding for the link road has come from the city council (£11.5m), Department for Transport (£18.5m), the Local Enterprise Partnership (£8.2m) and the Growing Places Fund (£2.4m).
The opening of the EVLR is a key stage in the development of the Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone and will help to create up to 9,000 new jobs and use 140 hectares of brownfield land.
The Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone is made up of seven key sites along the A500 with the plan to increase investment in a range of employment sectors and reinforce this area as the world capital of ceramics from tableware to highly specialist technical ceramics applications. Some sites in this zone will benefit from a simplified planning system and business rate relief of up to £55,000 for five years.
At the event, Stoke-on-Trent City Council leader, Cllr Abi Brown introduced the Stoke-on-Trent Growth Company which will be established in the spring with the aim of bringing together all the current activity around inward investment, business support, employment and skills, culture and tourism and ensuring that these activities join up more effectively.
The company will offer more bespoke approach to investment and economic development based around distinctive needs and opportunities and the unique qualities and achievements that characterise our Stoke-on-Trent and the surrounding area. It is excellent that Stoke-on-Trent is developing an identity of growth and change which chimes so well with the ambitions of the excellent businesses that are based here. Staffordshire Chambers is hugely supportive of this initiative and looks forward to working with all those involved and to ensure that this complements Staffordshire County Council’s “We Are Staffordshire” campaign.
Stoke-on-Trent City Council are keen to work with work with key stakeholders to develop an effective and collaborative operating model for the growth company, and a meeting of the Stoke-on-Trent City Forum on 7th March will involve businesses, public and voluntary sector partners and other key stakeholders in shaping plans for the venture.
To find out more about the Stoke-on-Trent Growth Company or to register for the event contact Caroline.Mairs@stoke.gov.uk from the investment, employment, skills and growth team.
Not such good news now as I am sure you will have seen how the announcement from Government on a new energy support package for businesses fell short of our hopes and expectations.
Despite Government efforts, an 85% drop in the financial envelope of support will fall short for thousands of UK businesses who are seriously struggling.
Many businesses have been fighting for their survival for months, and rising energy costs have fast become the tipping point. While Chambers welcome the 12-month duration of this package, its value is nowhere near far enough and means that for some firms, energy will now be a cost too far.
We understand Government must consider public finances, but any support package, short or long term, should be right for business – otherwise we’re going around in circles. The wrong type of support will continue to see business confidence deplete and Government having to revisit its package.
This is not about giving a handout to failing firms. It is about investing in British businesses, many of whom are confident about the strength of their order-books despite being hammered by eye-watering energy costs.
There are several options to consider, and we urge the Government to prioritise the following three:
- Increase OFGEM’s powers: Ensure effective competition in the business energy market for non-domestic contracts by extending OFGEM’s regulatory powers to guarantee businesses access competitive fixed rate contracts, and energy providers move swiftly to pass on wholesale price reductions.
- Energy production: Government to bring forward ambitious plans to enable more renewable and sustainable energy production across the UK.
- National energy saving campaign: Government should launch a national campaign with support initiatives for businesses to drive down current consumption through energy efficiency measures, such as green grants and tax incentives.
The British Chambers of Commerce will continue regular dialogue with Government on energy and I would urge you to get in touch via the contacts below with any issues you have around energy and your business.
If you want to talk to us about any business issues, including funding, you can call our switchboard on 01782 202222 or call the Stoke and Staffs Growth Hub Helpline on 0300 111 8002 or email: info@staffordshirechambers.co.uk
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