AWARD OF ENTERPRISE ZONE STATUS

Monday 23rd January 2012

At his annual reception for the business community of Great Yarmouth, Steve Ames, the Leader of the Council, reported that…..

 

 “……In recent months there have been a couple of big announcements for Great Yarmouth.  I’m confident that these will help the local business community to continue to grow and thrive.

 

In August we learnt that we (Great Yarmouth) along with Lowestoft, had been successful in our bid for Enterprise Zone status.  Our bid, led by the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, is designed to capitalise on the area’s leading position in the energy sector.  It aims to attract businesses and create jobs by offering business rate relief to eligible companies in the six sites over Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft……… 

 

 …...Enterprise Zone status will promote the energy offer in Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft, acting as an important boost in attracting new inward investment and jobs to this area.  This in turn will provide significant economic opportunities for our existing energy sector companies, as well as for the wider supply chain and greater Yarmouth economy.

 

 ……the Government also named Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft a National Centre for Offshore Renewable Engineering…….

 

 ……what difference does this make?  Well, it demonstrates that the Government recognises your efforts and gives credibility to our status as an important hub for energy and engineering, promising a package of comprehensive Government support.  The Government has specifically recognised the unique knowledge of the operating conditions in the Southern North Sea, something Yarmouth businesses have been doing for decades and continue to do so within the ever-important offshore gas industry….”

 

He went on to say that the new deep water port, which has close ties with the existing energy sector , has already been used extensively for the offshore wind industry; and the operators (EastPort UK) have signed a MofU with East Anglia Offshore Wind, investigating the potential to support future construction and operational requirements of the 1,000 plus turbine East Anglia Array Wind Farm off our coast.

 

Steve then continued saying “….our second Enterprise Zone is at Beacon Park.  This year (2011) has seen the completion and handover of prestigious new headquarters for Norfolk Capacitors at Excalibur Road and the start on-site of speculative offices by Wellington Construction.  Before Christmas Wellington will be “cutting the first sod” for speculative industrial units and confirmed occupiers will be announced early in the New Year….” 

.....and then “in 2012 we are expecting to make a start on a 70,000 sq ft office and production plant for a major employer that has just been granted Planning Permission and there will be important announcements on the delivery of the retail element on the Park and other occupiers that we are in advanced discussions with.”