A 734-acre rail-freight and logistics hub under construction near Junction 12 of the M6 in South Staffordshire, has already generated more than £7 million in social value across South Staffordshire, Staffordshire and Wolverhampton.
The figure is revealed in West Midlands Interchange’s first Social Value Impact Report, covering 2022 to 2025. The development, which will provide up to eight million sq ft of logistics facilities connected to the strategic rail network, is already supporting regional businesses, employment and skills.
WMI spent £4.81 million with suppliers from the surrounding area during the three-year period. Of this, £2.8 million went to local micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, helping businesses benefit directly from investment in the development.
The project – one of the biggest of its kind in the UK – also created 55 full-time equivalent local roles, including opportunities for people facing barriers to employment. More than 500 weeks of apprenticeships and T-Level placements were delivered, alongside over 690 hours of educational sessions in schools, colleges and universities.
One beneficiary was local student Viktoriia, who joined construction contractor Winvic on a T-Level placement at WMI. She subsequently secured a permanent position as a trainee site engineer and was named Student of the Year at the Department for Education’s National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards.
The £7 million calculated social value includes £4.9 million attributed to local business growth and the regional economy, £2.4 million associated with employment and skills, and £12,000 supporting healthier and more resilient communities.
James Markby, managing partner at Logistics Capital Partners said the development partners were proud that local people and businesses were benefiting while construction remained under way.
They added: “While the development itself will bring significant long-term investment to the region, it’s equally important that local people and businesses benefit today.”
Located west of Junction 12 of the M6 in South Staffordshire, WMI will provide up to eight million sq ft of logistics space across a 734-acre site. The development is expected to create up to 8,500 jobs over its lifetime, while continuing to invest in local supply chains, education and community programmes.
The complete WMI Social Value Impact Report 2022–2025 is available online.
