First four new generation enterprise zone locations identified

Four vanguard areas – Nottingham, Liverpool, Manchester and London – that will deliver new economic growth through the next generation of Enterprise Zones are hailed by Communities Secretary Eric Pickles and Business Secretary Vince Cable for naming where they will locate their sites.

The ministers are also announcing the launch of a scheme to identify where the remaining ten Enterprise Zones will be created as the government continues to take action to back enterprise, plan for growth and share prosperity across the country.

The announcement comes as the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister visited the new Nottingham Enterprise Zone at the Boots campus in Nottingham to hear the local enterprise partnership’s proposals to boost the local economy.

The Budget announced that the Government would create 21 new Enterprise Zones, within local enterprise partnerships, with simplified planning rules, super-fast broadband and tax breaks for businesses, would be established in local enterprise partnerships across England. The areas will have real potential to create new businesses and jobs with wider economic benefits.

Budget also confirmed that the first vanguard Enterprise Zones would be based within eleven local enterprise partnerships lead by Birmingham and Solihull, Sheffield, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, the Bristol area, the Black Country, Derby and Nottingham, Teesside and the North East.

The first four areas are able to confirm the exact location of their new zones as Boots campus in Nottingham, Liverpool Waters, Manchester Airport and the Mayor has said London’s Zone would be in the Royal Docks.

The Government has asked Local Enterprise Partnerships to nominate the site of Enterprise Zones based on the economic rationale and potential for growth - as business lead partnerships with local authorities they are ideally placed to identify the sites that offer the best opportunity for growth.

The focus of the vanguard Enterprise Zones is on cities and those areas that have missed out in the last ten years. But other areas have potential for growth too so today Government is also launching a competition to identify a further 10 Enterprise Zones in England by July.

Mr Pickles and Mr Vince Cable have written to all local enterprise partnerships with more information on Enterprise Zones.

Local Government Secretary Eric Pickles said: “Growth is this Government’s number one priority and a new generation of Enterprise Zones are central to our strategy. Local enterprise partnerships can use these zones as a springboard for private sector growth and wider regeneration. It’s great news that the locations for Enterprise Zones can be announced in London, Liverpool, Manchester and Nottingham today.

“Enterprise Zones are unashamedly pro-growth, with lower taxes and reduced regulations to attract business, but they are also unashamedly localist keeping power and profits within the local area so communities benefit.”

Business Secretary Vince Cable added: “Enterprise Zones will create the environment for businesses to thrive and stimulate growth in the places that have the most potential.
“The 21 areas we are creating across England will give businesses simpler planning rules, access to super-fast broadband and more generous treatment in respect to business rates and capital allowances.

“On top of that, the benefits of growth within Enterprise Zones will be kept within their communities, helping to drive the creation of more new jobs and successful enterprises.

“We will work closely with local enterprise partnerships to identify new ways we can support them on developing the Zones, especially on issues like enhanced capital allowances and securing inward investment.”