Significant progress is being made on the Wrexham and Flintshire Investment Zone, a collaborative project that is expected to attract £1 billion of private-sector investment and create 6,000 new jobs. It is backed by £160 million in funding from the Welsh government and the UK Government and will focus primarily on advanced manufacturing, with the Investment Zone targeting 5.5 million ft
2 of new capacity for the sector; there will also be a particular emphasis on innovation skills and transport challenges, delivering new opportunities and investment for communities and growing both local and regional economies.
Plans for the Investment Zone recently took a major step forward, with the confirmation of its industrial focus and main sites forming part of a recent announcement by the Chancellor Rachel Reeves. One of these sites is Wrexham Industrial Estate, which houses a wide range of ‘significant businesses and employers’, such as JCB. Industrial, office and retail property firm
www.fi-rem.com FI Real Estate Management Ltd (FIREM) has three developments on the estate — Wrexham 1M, Wrexham 152 and Bridgeway Centre — and is significantly expanding its presence on the estate as part of its Wrexham 1M project. Comprising 1 million ft
2 of logistics space, it is set to create 1,000 jobs and act as a catalyst for growth in the region. In total, FIREM has invested more than £136 million in Wrexham Industrial Estate in the last two decades.
When Rebecca Evans, Welsh Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, visited the Wrexham 1M site to hear more about FIREM’s ambitions, she said: “North East Wales is already home to incredible talent and expertise. Align this with the latest innovation and Government support and we believe the sky is the limit for the region in terms of delivering future economic growth and good quality jobs.
“This is a hugely exciting time for advanced manufacturing in North Wales and I am encouraged by the progress of the Wrexham and Flintshire Investment Zone and the collaborative efforts of the Corporate Joint Committee, local authorities, both Governments and of course businesses in getting to this important stage. The Wrexham 1M scheme from FIREM is proposed to be a new tax site and aims to create high quality industrial accommodation that will help drive job creation and add huge economic value in Wrexham.”
Tim Knowles, FI Real Estate Management’s managing director and founder, concluded: “We have huge belief in the potential of the city and region, and we know that this ambitious mission and the creation of the £160 million Investment Zone will enable businesses to flourish, growth sectors to prosper, and surrounding communities to benefit. Continuing to invest in our flagship developments in Wrexham will spearhead the growth of a globally significant advanced manufacturing cluster for North East Wales over the next decade. We can’t wait to see the positive impact that the Investment Zone will have on Wrexham, as the region competes on a global stage for innovation.”