Shropshire’s investment opportunities come under the spotlight

Some of Shropshire’s key investment opportunities will be highlighted this week when a leading Government official visits Shropshire on Tuesday 5 November 2013.

Nick Baird, Chief Executive of UK Trade & Investment (UKTI)– the Government arm that encourages inward investment and promotes exporting – will be visiting the county to find out about projects and developments that Shropshire Council feels will be of interest to foreign and inward investors.

He’ll also learn about some of Shropshire’s key economic sectors – and why the county is a great place to live, work and set up a business.

After a visit to Harper Adams University in Newport to see its world-leading Agri-Tech Precision Centre, there will be a short presentation at Shirehall in Shrewsbury to provide Nick Baird with an overview of Shropshire’s investment opportunities.

This will be followed by a tour of some of the investment opportunities in and around Shrewsbury, before he returns to London.

The presentation will be introduced by Councillor Keith Barrow, Leader of Shropshire Council, and will be attended by Councillor Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for business growth, and Daniel Kawczynski, MP for Shrewsbury & Atcham.

The investment opportunities that will be highlighted during Nick Baird’s visit include:

• Construction of a new five-star hotel in the historic and vibrant county town of Shrewsbury.
• The development of, or the chance to become a tenant at, the historic Flax Mill Maltings in Shrewsbury.
• Investment in, or the chance to become a tenant at, the exciting New Riverside shopping centre in Shrewsbury.
• Development of the new Innovation Park just outside Oswestry.
• Investment in the new National Aeronautical Academy at the world-renowned RAF Cosford.
• Development of the new Shrewsbury North West Relief Road, triggering massive residential and commercial growth.
• Development of a new university for Shropshire, located in the county town of Shrewsbury.

The economic sectors that will be highlighted, as sectors in which Shropshire has particular strengths and high growth potential – include: food and drink manufacturing; creative and digital; visitor economy; agricultural technologies; and environmental technologies.

Steve Charmley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for business growth, said:

“We all know that Shropshire is a fantastic place to live, work and do business, and we have a huge number of highly successful businesses and business people who are testament to this.  Nick Baird’s visit provides a great opportunity to tell him why Shropshire is a great location for businesses, but also to highlight some of the many exciting opportunities on offer to foreign and inward investors.  So, we’re really pleased that he’s coming to Shropshire to find out just what the county has to offer – and that he will then be able to help promote Shropshire to potential investors.”

Daniel Kawczynski, MP for Shrewsbury & Atcham, said:

“I am very much looking forward to welcoming Nick Baird to Shrewsbury and to showing him what opportunities there are for investment.  I consider that support from UKTI is vital if we are to be able to bring these projects to fruition, and in turn we will secure future prosperity for Shropshire.   I have worked closely with Nick’s team over the past year, as I am committed to promoting outward and inward investment; this visit will ensure that our projects are high on the UKTI agenda.”

Investors interested in any of the above investment opportunities, or wanting more information about doing business in Shropshire, should contact Shropshire Council’s investment team on +44 (0)1743 252596, or email business@shropshire.gov.uk.