New foundations

St.Helens’ prime regional connectivity between Liverpool and Manchester, coupled with its focus on delivery and genuine private sector buy-in and partnership, has led to a major uplift in the Borough’s appeal as a profitable business base, desirable residential location and attractive visitor destination.

St.Helens has benefited from significant investment in new and enhanced infrastructure over the last two years, seeking to maximise the potential of its prime location and catchment. St.Helens has been independently highlighted as one of the most attractive potential office locations in the country. This status is thanks to its prime regional connectivity, a catchment of seven million people, clients and customers within an hour’s drive, plus a highly cost-effective, business-friendly environment. A number of developers and businesses have chosen St.Helens as their regional headquarters in order to profit from the Borough’s advantages in terms of connectivity, catchment and cost.

Sustained private and public sector investments have led to a major boost in the Borough’s appeal as an outstanding business base. Prestigious developments, including Empress Park, Micklehead Business Park, Mere Grange and Old Boston are underway across the Borough, providing managed, contemporary, and affordable workspace for a range of high growth sector businesses.

Empress Park and an industrial zone at Boston Park, home to a former colliery site, will pave the way for over 2,000 jobs. Funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the £30m scheme will increase the supply of high quality office and industrial accommodation in the area. The site development is excellent both in terms of its location at Junction 23 at the M6 motorway and its prominent position in St. Helens.

Altrincham-based developer and investor, Morley Estates, commenced work in August 2010 to create the mixed-use scheme within landscaped grounds to accommodate offices, hybrid business units, high tech industrial units, retail and leisure opportunities. The site offers companies the space to expand, excellent motorway links and the expertise of a skilled local labour market in the distribution and logistics sector. The site’s first tenant moved in January 2011.

At the other side of the Borough at Lea Green, Langtree plc has made a significant investment in the 31-acre Mere Grange business park. Phase 1 is complete and offers 10 high quality office units, set in a landscaped environment, close to the amenities of the Town Centre and Ravenhead Retail Park and Junction 7 of the M62.

Town centre accommodation for small and medium enterprises has also increased with developments at The Enterprise Centre, based within the spectacular St.Helens Chamber building and excellent facilities at the Business Centre at Century House, a stunning scheme which provides a host of benefits to suit a diversity of business needs and budget requirements. In particular the refurbished office suites in the heart of the town centre are proving a success with small and medium enterprises eager to take advantage of the flexible accommodation and competitive rentals.

Bob Hepworth, director of Urban Regeneration and Housing at St.Helens Council says: “The current financial climate means St.Helens’ competitive advantages in terms of connectivity, catchment and cost are even more relevant to businesses keen to trim operating costs and maximise efficiency.

There is no doubt that we continue to face major economic challenges but we can be rightly proud of our recent achievements, which provide an ongoing impetus to doing what we do best – harnessing our locational advantage at the heart of the Northwest to deliver real economic benefits”

Moreover, St.Helens also offers premium, bespoke support to businesses by a proactive Investment and Aftercare Team and one of the best Chambers of Commerce in the country. St.Helens has also won two coveted “Beacon Council” status awards, including for “Raising Economic Prosperity Through Partnership” thanks to its work with St.Helens Chamber on enterprise creation.

For more information
Please call John Quirk, Business Location Service on 01744 742 011, visit www.investinsthelens.com or e-mail enquiries@investinsthelens.com