Local ambition and an international vision – it’s full steam ahead for Shropshire’s economic growth plans

Supporting businesses, providing the necessary infrastructure and attracting inward investment, provide a key focus of Shropshire Council’s economic growth strategy. And, just six months since its launch, great strides have been made towards realising its ambitious vision for Shropshire.

One of the many successes has been Marches Growth Hub Shropshire, designed to provide advice, support and signposting for local businesses and start-ups.  Since opening in 2016, Marches Growth Hub Shropshire has dealt with over 700 enquiries from local businesses, contributing towards the creation of over 30 new jobs in the area.

Local artisan confectionary company Champion & Reeves is one of many companies that has benefitted. With no less an ambition than to produce the finest 100% natural confectionery money can buy, the company, set up in 2015, has seen rapid growth with a customer base that includes high end retailers like Harrods and the Houses of Parliament shops.

Champion & Reeves

Jacqueline Champion, Champion & Reeves’ managing director, said:

“As a business we have received excellent support through Marches Growth Hub Shropshire. The staff were always willing to talk through our needs and aspirations. By understanding fully what we were looking to achieve, they could suggest potential support to help us to realise our ambitions.

“It has been great to have the hub as the ‘go-to’ place, not only for signposting, but for practical help too. We were also fortunate enough to access free social media training through them. The hub has certainly helped with our growth and development plans.”

Alerting businesses to funding and helping to complete applications is another key service offered by Marches Growth Hub Shropshire, and Shropshire is amongst one of the most successful areas in supporting its businesses through the process.

The Business Growth programme, made available through the European Regional Development Fund, is designed to strengthen supply chains, stimulate innovation and grow existing small to medium sized enterprises across the Midlands.  To date, over 25 Shropshire businesses have been supported, with 71 jobs created, stimulating approximately £1m of investment in the county.

Nic Laurens, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for economic growth, said;-

“With dedicated officers assigned to locating these opportunities we have been particularly successful, with over £37m of funding accessed for business support and innovation, environmental projects and social inclusion in Shropshire over the last few years.”

As well as finding funding opportunities for its businesses, the team is constantly on the lookout for additional financial resources to support a range of infrastructure projects.

To date, over £11.2m worth of investment has been made in delivering digital connectivity across Shropshire through the council’s Connecting Shropshire project.

In addition, the council has been successful in securing financial support for a number of key strategic transport schemes in the county including the Shrewsbury Integrated Transport Package (SITP) with investment of around £12m, the Oxon Link Road – around £13m – and, most recently, Oswestry, with £9.3m of Housing Infrastructure Fund (HIF) from the Government. The HIF will help to unlock the potential of the Oswestry Urban extension, innovation park and support infrastructure improvements to kick-start development opportunities in this key growth location.

Selling the benefits of moving a business or setting up a new business in Shropshire remains a major priority. Soon the many benefits that the county can offer will be touted at international level.

This year, alongside its Marches partners, Shropshire will exhibit at MIPIM, the world’s leading property market, which features over 24,000 participants from over 100 countries.  Here many investment opportunities will showcased, including the Flaxmill Maltings development, Clive Barracks, Ironbridge Power Station and Oswestry Innovation Park.

Nic Laurens added:

“It has been a bold decision to take part but it’s a highly competitive marketplace. We need to start presenting these very exciting and potentially lucrative projects to potential investors, alongside our regional partners, on the world stage.”