Economy chief's infrastructure call

Gemma Davies, the new group manager for business growth and prosperity at Shropshire Council, said public sector investment would be needed at key employment sites in order to bringing companies to the county.

As part of a new economic growth plan for the county, which goes out to public consultation later this month having been approved by the authority's cabinet, the county will be promoted to businesses as a place to invest.

The authority hopes to generate £300 million worth of inward investment in the next four years, but Ms Davies said it was necessary that businesses who look at Shropshire see all the infrastructure needed for them to succeed.

"We haven't done much proactive marketing of Shropshire as a place to invest as it's important we have the product and are clear about what we can offer," she said.

"Companies could be UK-based or global. It's about having the employment land available and ready for occupation, which means investment that the public sector will need to help deliver in terms of infrastructure and connectivity, and having a pool of labour to access and deliver a successful business.

"It's about whether there is a good supply chain, whether there is good access.

"All these things that companies will consider alongside that quality of place because it is part of what a business considers when looking for a new location. Are there schools and housing, is there stuff for my staff to do?"

One example is Oswestry Innovation Park, which presents a large site but one which needs further work before businesses are ready to build on it.

"The council is taking a proactive role in that side because we recognise that a business isn't going to come in and invest that sort of money into a site – they want to be ready to come and put their own infrastructure in place for the buildings and fit-out," Ms Davies added.

"It needs investment in that infrastructure to bring that site to market so it's ready for development.

"The site is in our ownership, which will help in terms of the control and we are working with Highways England who are in control of the A5 in terms of building that business case.

"That site is 56 acres. It won't be a complete construction but it will send a strong signal to the market that Shropshire is serious about business. It's a site with a good access road that has links to Oswestry, the college and the hospital.

"We have got inquiries in Shropshire. We know we have got to focus on the employment sites like the ones we are talking about in Oswestry and Market Drayton. We have started discussions with colleagues in Cheshire East and Staffordshire about opportunities with HS2 and the Northern Gateway, and the ripple effect those things will have."