Significant progress is being made on the Wrexham and Flintshire
Investment Zone, as business FI Real Estate Management (FIREM)
invests in growth.
The Investment Zone is a collaborative project expected to
attract £1bn of private sector investment and create 6000 new
jobs.
It's backed by £160m in funding from the Welsh Government and UK
Government and will focus primarily on advanced manufacturing,
with the Investment Zone targeting 5.5 million square feet of new
capacity for the sector.
There will 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 .
One of these sites is Wrexham Industrial Estate, which houses a
wide range of significant businesses and employers, such as JCB.
Three of FIREM's developments on the estate – Wrexham 1M, Wrexham
152 and Bridgeway Centre – sit within the designated zone.
The firm is significantly expanding its presence on the estate as
part of its Wrexham 1M project, comprising one million square
feet of logistics space, set to create 1,000 jobs and act as a
catalyst for growth in the region. In total, FIREM has invested
more than £136m in Wrexham Industrial Estate in the last two
decades.
Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, , visited the Wrexham 1M site
to hear more about FIREM's ambitions and to see first-hand how
the Investment Zone will build on the world-class capabilities of
renowned businesses in the region.
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. It's another vote of confidence in what we are all
trying to achieve here.”
Tim Knowles, Managing Director and Founder of FI Real Estate
Management, added:
“As a developer that has had operations in Wrexham for almost 20
years, we're proud to be playing a pivotal role in Wrexham's
transformation into a thriving hub for advanced manufacturing in
the UK.
“We have huge belief in the potential of the city and region, and
we know that this ambitious mission and the creation of the £160m
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.”
Ahead of her visit to Wrexham Industrial Estate, held a regional engagement
event with a broad range of businesses and key stakeholders at
Coleg Cambria in Wrexham to help shape focus on areas of economic
development for North East Wales.
Notes to editors
The Wrexham and Flintshire Investment Zone is a partnership
between the UK and Welsh governments, the North Wales Corporate
Joint Committee, Wrexham and Flintshire Councils, and a wide
range of local research institutes, businesses and stakeholders,
alongside support from the Wales Office.
It centres on sites in Deeside and Deeside industrial estate,
which houses Tata Steel and Toyota; sites around Hawarden
Airport, where Airbus is based; Llay Industrial Estate, which
houses several key aerospace businesses; and Wrexham Industrial
Estate, which houses a wide range of advanced manufacturing
businesses, including JCB.
Founded by Tim Knowles, FI Real Estate
Management (FIREM) has 40 years' experience of providing
workspace, asset and property management and creating development
opportunities for its diverse investment portfolio, which
includes industrial, office, retail and residential sectors:
www.fi-rem.com
