THE MARCHES LOCAL ENTERPRISE PARTNERSHIP
CHAIRMAN'S BULLETIN No. 10
22.08.2011
In this issue:
Marches Enterprise Zone
Start-Up Fund
Business blooming at event
Success for Hereford bid
I'm delighted that the Marches LEP was successful in its bid for an Enterprise Zone - one
of only 11 chosen by the Government from 29 applications. It is a fantastic boost both for
Hereford, where the zone will be focused, and the wider LEP area which will also benefit
from having an EZ in the Marches. The development on the 164-acre site at Rotherwas
Business Park will create thousands of jobs offering businesses simplified planning rules,
super-fast broadband and millions of pounds worth of tax breaks over the next four years.
The zone will attract businesses specialising in activities linked to the defence, security
and science-based industries, with EZ status a catalyst for private sector recovery and
growth.
The benefits of the zone will be used to support business enterprise across the LEP area.
We have already identified that there are supply chain opportunities for firms in the wider
LEP area in terms of environmental technologies and advanced manufacturing, which we
hope will create additional private sector employment across the Marches.
Marches LEP funding
The LEP Start-Up Fund was created to fund set up activity for partnerships up to March
2012. Following our application to the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, I'm
delighted that the Marches LEP has attracted £137,000 of funding. We sought support for
essential early work that will help to set up robust systems capable of moving us forward
with a very small secretariat. As you know we began work to establish this brand new
partnership with an empty balance sheet and no staff.
This funding is aimed at supporting LEPs that are based upon new partnerships to develop
essential systems that can operate with minimum administrative support and to bring in
private sector funding and support moving forward.
Shrewsbury Flower Show
The Shrewsbury Flower Show was held earlier this month, attracting not only around
50,000 visitors but also hundreds of businesses from across the Marches. I attended the
event as a guest of Gharry Eccles, chief executive of Müller Dairy, the main sponsor of the
show.
The fantastic organisation of this event is a testament to Brian Goodwin, chairman of the
Shropshire Horticultural Society, Show Secretary Peter Road-Night and his excellent team.
Their dedication ensures that each year the flower show is a flagship event in Shropshire,
bringing tourism and business together. The support of the sponsors, including Müller
Dairy, again provides support to put Shropshire and the Marches on the map. This is the
oldest horticultural show in the county, celebrating its 125 years next year. It provides a
great opportunity for our local companies to feature their new products and services and
demonstrate why the Marches has a great deal to celebrate in business innovation.
Jacqueline Williams of McEwans Innovations Ltd, a fantastic Telford based company, was
exhibiting her Baskit Geni’, a hang basket anti-theft product which earned the company the
Best New Innovative Company Award at this year’s Pride of Shropshire 2011 Awards.
For further information on the work of the Marches LEP go to our website at
www.marcheslep.org.uk and we'd be delighted to hear your feedback at
enquiries@marcheslep.org.uk
DR GEOFFREY DAVIES OBE
CHAIRMAN, MARCHES LOCAL ENTERPRISE PARTNERSHIP