Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent will step into the national spotlight from today as regional leaders seek to attract investment, unlock regeneration opportunities and secure new funding at the UK’s top investor conference.
A delegation of more than 30 representatives from local authorities, business and the private sector is attending the UK’s Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) in Leeds under the banner of We Are Staffordshire, the area’s place making organisation.
Projects being showcased by the Staffordshire delegation include the expansion of the Keele Innovation District, Burton upon Trent’s Old Brewery Quarter, The Maltings in Uttoxeter, the former Guildhall Shopping Centre site in Stafford, the Central Edge Economic Growth Zone in South Staffordshire and the A50/A500 corridor.
Significant private sector backing has been secured to support Staffordshire’s attendance.
Louisa Shaw, head of place marketing at We Are Staffordshire, said: “Packaging all of our opportunities together is a great way to promote the county and city to investors.
“We already have examples of where this has brought about transformational investments into our town centres and there is real excitement around county-wide plans that are being brought forward.”
Louisa said previous UKREiiF events helped lay the foundations for Capital&Centric’s Goods Yard development in Stoke-on-Trent, and build initial relationships with Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council.
The developer has since launched several projects in Newcastle’s town centre including Astley Place, Karparc and the redevelopment of the former Zanzibar nightclub site.
Tamworth Borough Council is using UKREiiF to seek a development partner for its Gungate regeneration project.
The 6.82-acre town centre site is being promoted as an opportunity to deliver high-quality housing alongside public spaces that foster interaction and inclusion.
Stephen Gabriel, the council’s CEO, said: “Due to its size, location, and strategic connectivity, Gungate is a significant regeneration opportunity which has the potential to underpin the long-term vitality and growth of the town centre and identify Tamworth as a great place to both live and work.”
Several opportunities in Newcastle-under-Lyme will be showcased, including Chatterley Park which was completed with developers Harworth last year and could generate 1,700 jobs once occupied.
Situated in the Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone, the 1.2 million sq ft development aims to meet growing industrial and logistics occupier demand.
Others include a site next to J16 of the M6, south of the A500, which could create 3,500 jobs and a further 1,200 in the supply chain, and a housing development site at Lyme Park near Keele University.
Simon McEneny, deputy chief executive of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, said: “Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council have found UKREiiF incredibly useful in terms of showcasing our aspirations to a wide audience and having real in time conversations with industry professionals who we would have struggled to engage with so quickly, to realise our development plans on the ground. You never know where a short informal conversation will lead and where better to have these than UKREiiF.”
Sponsors of Staffordshire’s UKREiiF attendance this year include Stoford, Keele University, Harworth, Indurant, and Bericote Properties.
Meanwhile, Keon Homes is using the event to announce the start of its latest scheme for the City of Wolverhampton Council’s £1 billion housing framework.
The Burntwood-based company will begin construction on the £28 million Heath Town site on the edge of the city, transforming the old Duke of York pub into 32 affordable one and two-bedroom council apartments.
The county’s new Made in Staffordshire accreditation scheme will also be showcased, inviting people to try samples of local produce.
Staffordshire County Council, Stoke-on-Trent City Council and the area’s district and borough councils will be on Stand E22 at UKREiiF from today until Thursday.
