Gloucestershire is open for world-class business

Working in strong partnership with the private sector, the seven local authorities, the HE and FE sectors and the voluntary and community sectors, GFirst LEP is seeking over £400m funding from Government to invest in Gloucestershire to drive significant economic growth throughout the county.

Working in strong partnership with the private sector, the seven local authorities, the HE and FE sectors and the voluntary and community sectors, GFirst LEP is seeking over £400m funding from Government to invest in Gloucestershire to drive significant economic growth throughout the county.

Outlined in the draft Strategic Economic Plan that was submitted to Government in December 2013, the plan outlines ambitious growth targets to increase the prosperity of the county with investment projects to help start-ups grow, maximise the connections and opportunities of the motorway corridor and support businesses and develop essential skills in high growth sectors.

The economic vision is to grow the local economy, so that by 2022, Gloucestershire has world-class companies, a diverse business portfolio and a reputation for starting and growing great businesses. Underpinning the plan to achieve this ambition, are three core initiatives; a Growth Hub,a Growth Zone, and the creation of a centre of excellence in renewable energy, engineering & nuclear skills: 

1. The Growth Hub will integrate the work of GFirst LEP, the University of Gloucestershire and partner organisations in providing seamless support services for business, targeted particularly on those with high growth potential in knowledge-intensive sectors, with 24/7 online resources and support accessible from a web portal.


2. The Growth Zone will unlock the economic prosperity of the county by providing space for business expansion by ensuring the availability of employment land in good locations in the county with the necessary transport infrastructure essential to attract and retain high value-added businesses.  Plans for the Growth Zone will incorporate enhanced natural environments associated with newly built developments bringing benefits for residents, businesses and wildlife.


3. To anticipate the unprecedented expansion of Nuclear and low carbon energy and engineering in the county, the SEP outlines the creation of a Gloucestershire centre of excellence in Renewable Energy, Engineering & Nuclear skills (GREEN) at the decommissioned Berkeley power station. This will include a skills development and training centre specialising in Renewable Energy, Engineering and Nuclear of national and European significance.



 
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Dr Diane Savory OBE DL, Chair, GFirst LEP said: “My aim as Chair of GFirst LEP has always been to develop what is, in effect, a business plan for growth for the county and I’m delighted that the draft SEP does exactly this, and more in terms of what the Government requires of us.  The plan has been produced in consultation with the business community and like any good business plan, it has ambition and drive, stretching goals, and supporting evidence to satisfy the most testing of challenges. This is a really exciting time as we believe it holds the key to successfully growing Gloucestershire.”

David Owen, Chief Executive, GFirst LEP commented: “The foundation for a flourishing economy has already been laid as we already have excellent start-up survival and job creation rates and these, will be maintained and strengthened in the plan.

The plan will drive exports, create jobs, develop skills and will create an environment in Gloucestershire that tells the world we’re open for business and the ‘go to’ place for exceptional high performance companies. This plan will send that clear message.”

To read the draft Strategic Economic Plan for Gloucestershire, please visit this page.