Enterprise Zone sites across Norfolk and Suffolk were the focus of attention as Jake Berry, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Local Growth, visited The East stands at MIPIM UK on Thursday (18 October).
The Minister visited the stands to meet representatives from New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and Norfolk and Suffolk local authorities during his time at MIPIM UK – the UK’s largest property showcase which took place at Olympia in London this week.
He joined Chris Starkie, Managing Director of New Anglia LEP, to formally sign the Memorandum of Understanding between the Government and the local authorities which officially recognises the Government’s support for the New Anglia Space to Innovate Enterprise Zone.
The New Anglia Space to Innovate Enterprise Zone is made up of ten sites. The multi-site Enterprise Zone will help create 18,500 jobs during its 25 year lifetime, including 5,000 by 2021.
Enterprise Zones deliver a wide range of benefits to companies including a business rate discount of up to £275,000 over five years, simplified planning and access to superfast broadband.
As part of his visit to The East stands at MIPIM UK, the Minister heard that sites from the Enterprise Zone form part of the region’s pitch to investors at the show. MIPIM UK is the UK’s largest investment and property showcase. New Anglia LEP and local authorities from Norfolk and Suffolk exhibit at the event jointly as The East.
Chris Starkie, Managing Director of New Anglia LEP, said: “We were delighted to welcome the Minister to our stand during our busy two days at MIPIM UK. We were able to tell him more about The East and the excellent investment and development opportunities which we have here.
“Our Enterprise Zone sites play an important role in our inward investment and business support offer, providing high-quality space for businesses to locate and grow.”
Jake Berry, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Local Growth, said: “Since their creation, Enterprise Zones have provided the foundations for success for over 800 businesses, attracting £3.3billion of private sector investment and creating almost 36,000 jobs, proving Britain is a great place to do business.
“Space to Innovate is helping local businesses get access to world class research and development as well as modern accommodation and a highly skilled workforce. In signing this agreement with the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, I have set out how the Government and local partners will work together to continue to drive forward Space to Innovate’s success.”
The attached photograph shows Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Local Growth Jake Berry signing the Memorandum of Understanding with New Anglia LEP Managing Director Chris Starkie at MIPIM UK.
The sites in the New Anglia Space to Innovate Enterprise Zone are:
- Norwich Research Park
- Suffolk Business Park, Bury St Edmunds
- Scottow Enterprise Park
- Egmere Business Zone
- Futura Park, Ipswich
- Princes St Office District, Ipswich
- Waterfront Island, Ipswich
- Sproughton Enterprise Park
- Nar Ouse Business Park, King’s Lynn
- Stowmarket Enterprise Park
