Making a Statement – more good news for Wrexham

There’s more good news on the horizon for Wrexham, and North Wales in general, with a mention in the UK Government’s recent Autumn Statement. When Jeremy Hunt delivered his Autumn Statement on 22 November, there was a specific mention for Wrexham and of an initiative that should encourage growth and investment in the area immensely.

Fantastic regions

During the Statement, which outlines future economic plans and investment, the Chancellor mentioned the Investment Zone in Wrexham and Flintshire was to receive a welcome boost. The announcement outlined that a second ‘investment zone’ has received official confirmation in Wales, comprising the regions of Wrexham and Flintshire. It will be delivered by the North Wales Corporate Joint Committee. The legislation proposal had been introduced in the House of Commons by a consortium of Wrexham and Clwyd South MPs that aimed to raise the region’s profile to the UK government. He must have been convinced, as, in his address, the Chancellor described Wrexham and Flintshire as ‘fantastic regions’. The consortium stated that the zone would help to leverage and secure millions in investment and help create thousands of new jobs too.

A group effort

The consortium initially included some of the biggest and most familiar business names and organisations in the region, including Moneypenny, JCB, Airbus, Net World Sports, Theatr Clwyd, North Wales Business Council, Wrexham and Flintshire Councils, Wrexham University and AMRC Cymru. It is headed by Joanna Swash, Chair and Group CEO of Wrexham-based Moneypenny, one of the area’s most high-profile success stories. Greater weight was given to the cause, when six of the region’s MSs – Sam Rowlands, Ken Skates, Llyr Gruffydd, Mark Isherwood, Carolyn Thomas and Jack Sargeant – signed a letter of support to Welsh Economy Minister Vaughan Gething MS and also the UK Government’s Levelling Up Minister, Michael Gove. There was also support from the wider business community, with more than 100 people attending an engagement event at Theatr Clwyd in Mold.

Acknowledging potential

The fact that the Government had listened and acknowledged the huge opportunity for business growth and success has been welcomed not just in North Wales, but throughout the whole of Wales too. The investment zone will attract international as well as national investment, which will bring important resources and talent into the area. There will be up to £160 million available in support for the zone, which will help to protect tens of thousands of existing skilled jobs and also create thousands more, as new business is attracted to the region. The UK Government has outlined that it will be working closely with the Welsh Government on the delivery of these investment zone goals going forward.

This news is really welcomed here at Forge. In addition to our South Wales office, we now have our new office in Wrexham, which enables us to cover the whole of North Wales more easily, and into the North West of England too. This allows us really comprehensive coverage now of both North and South Wales, at this exciting time for the regions. We hope it will encourage more businesses to come to North Wales and also provide a boost to the housing and rental markets in the region too.

If you’d like more information on how our property consultants can help you, then get in touch today.