Main heading

Ellesmere Port Economic Development Zone (4M/EDZ)

4M/EDZ is an area of Ellesmere Port, including many major existing industries and employers, where European funding is identified to assist economic, physical and social regeneration within the corridor formed by the M53, M56, the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Mersey (hence the name of the zone). There are various key sites identified within this area but there is also scope for investment into other development, infrastructure and local employment initiatives.

The purpose of the EDZ is to help via grant assistance, the sustainable improvement and diversification of the local economy. EDZ funding will encourage strategic investment and development projects to proceed which, otherwise, may not prove commercially viable. This will contribute to the continued development of one of the North West’s major employment areas. The regeneration of this area, taking advantage of a range of Brownfield sites and other development opportunities, is a key component of the Regional Economic Strategy.

Whilst there are sites initially identified as being suitable for grant funding, this is by no means exclusive. There are opportunities for additional projects and development schemes to be brought forward which would create new business and employment opportunities including the expansion of existing businesses for the benefit of the local community and wider region.

Ellesmere Port emerges as an investment location

2007 has been a year of significant progress in the transformation of Ellesmere Port’s employment areas, with several new office and light industrial developments coming to the market. Vauxhall’s decision to build its new Astra model at Ellesmere Port provided a boost, underlining the quality of the area’s skilled workforce and its accessibility.

Key developments during 2007 include the projects below.

• Pioneer Park
• Peel’s masterplan for 87 acres at Pioneer Park on North Road is now taking shape.
• The £3.5m Evans Easyspace business centre was officially launched in December 2007, providing 23 offices and 18 workshops. Reliance Security and North West Motor Factor are the first tenants.
• The distribution market well supplied by Pioneer 210 and Pioneer Point, the largest distribution centre in the Northwest.
• The first phase of high quality office accommodation at Pioneer Business Park – 15,000 sq ft of self-contained units – was launched in November.
• Pioneer House – the second phase of Pioneer Business Park – will deliver fully serviced offices managed by DBH Services Business Centres. Construction commenced in July.
•  Elm Court
• Delma Developments - a subsidiary of leading northwest commercial property investor and developer Northern Trust - has completed the first of a series of speculative developments on Newbridge Road, off Junction 10 of the M53. The 31,000 sq ft of workshop space, will meet the needs of small businesses looking to expand in the area. It provides 18 workshops from 1,100 to 2,700 sq ft. Inspection, Testing and Consultancy Ltd is among the businesses making Elm Court their base. 
• New Port Business Park
• Quay 1 is the first phase a new business park at Newbridge Road, developed by Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council. To be completed in January 2008, it comprises seven industrial units with two-storey offices built to a high specification. The project also includes the infrastructure to open up a further 20 acres of industrial land for development. 
• Rossmore Business Village
• Completed in 2006, Rossmore Business Village is a 16,000 sq ft speculative development of 21 high quality office units with their own front doors.
•  The Oaks Office Park
• This office park consists of four self-contained two-storey office buildings. Its highly prominent position off Stanney Mill Road - close to Cheshire Oaks and Junction 10 of the M53 - has attracted LMS, the leading provider of Home Information Packs, and EMS. 
• Oaklands
• A new high quality development within this established office park set within the Cheshire countryside. Phase two comprises seven units of 29,920sq ft and was completed in the autumn. 
• Canalside Business Village and Trade Centre
• A new development of high quality light industrial warehouse/trade units off Junction 9 of the M53 close to the National Waterways Museum, with proposals for two further phases.

Many of these developments have received gap-funding from the European Regional Development Fund and the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA). This £12m package will end in 2008 and there are promising signs that market confidence in Ellesmere Port has turned a corner, driven by the emerging success of a new property product tapping into the popularity of Chester and Deeside. Occupiers are welcomed with attractive support packages - available to companies moving into these premises - to help with the recruitment and training of local staff.

For further details please contact:

David Hughes
Economic Development Officer
Ellesmere Port & Neston Borough Council
4 Civic Offices
Ellesmere Port, Cheshire
Tel: 0151 356 6649
E-mail david.hughes@epnbc.gov.uk