03 January 2008

New Business Park Helping to Fire Barrow's Economy

A NEW business park for Barrow-in-Furness has helped to boost the local economy by £3 million and created 35 new jobs.

Initial infrastructure work and site preparation works on Ramsden Business Park – the first phase of The Waterfront Business Park – started in earnest in mid October 2007 and targets for employment and use of local firms for the site works  have already been exceeded.

At present there are 31 people working to prepare the business park for development, which is five more than originally anticipated. Meanwhile there are 17 local firms employed on the project, which is seven more than first projected.

Local spend in the area – which is the value of local contracts with companies in Barrow and the surrounding area – is estimated to be £3 million.

There has also been significant progress on a series of community projects, including a “woodland project”, school safety poster competition and sponsorship of Barrow Borough Council’s town centre Christmas lights.

And interest is high among several developers who will take Ramsden Business Park forward. The deadline has now passed for expressions of interest and the process of selecting a preferred developer to create the 19,770 sqm of business accommodation is now under way.

West Lakes Renaissance – the Urban Regeneration Company for Furness– are overseeing  the development of the Ramsden Business Park and has been working with local enterprise agency Furness Enterprise to market the site to developers and companies.

Funding needed to secure the site preparation project came from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) which is investing £8 million and £3 million from the European Regional Development Fund.

The site was purchased from Associated British Ports by Cumbria County Council. Cumbria County Council also appointed contractors Alfred McAlpine to carry out the initial infrastructure and remediation work and Capita Symonds to design the works.

Once built, The Waterfront Business Park will create 1,500 jobs over the next ten years to help diversify the Furness economy by catering for the whole spectrum of businesses, ranging from office accommodation, research and development to industrial, storage, warehousing and distribution.

The business park is an important part of the £200 million The Waterfront Barrow-in-Furness Masterplan – a jigsaw of business, leisure and residential developments that will transform swathes of redundant dockland into a thriving new, sustainable community where people live, work and relax.

Dennis Laird, Ramsden Business Park Project Manager for West Lakes Renaissance, said: "Ramsden Business Park will have a significant impact on Barrow’s economy by creating 1,500 new jobs. However, the impact on employment, local business and local communities during the construction phase is often overlooked. This is why it is hugely encouraging that we have exceeded these targets and that the business park is already having a positive impact on local people and the local economy.

Tony Markley, Cumbria County Council's Cabinet member responsible for economic development & regeneration, said: "The pace of development at the Ramsden Business Park has been impressive. Local firms are winning vital business, new jobs are being created locally and the whole Barrow community is getting behind this major project. Ramsden Business Park is important because it is the first phase of the overall Waterfront Business Park development - which we expect to be a powerhouse of commercial growth for Barrow and South West Cumbria."

Peter White, Executive Director of Development at the NWDA, said: “Commencement of the site preparation works is a vital milestone in the future of Ramsden Business Park, which  presents a golden opportunity for businesses to get involved in an exciting development. It  is already making a positive impact on Barrow’s community and is boosting the town’s economy beyond expectation. 

“The NWDA’s investment recognises the enormous benefits Ramsden Business Park has to offer both local people and businesses. It is also an important element of The Waterfront Barrow-in-Furness Masterplan, a scheme which will help revitalize the town and secure future prosperity.”

Dave Hill, Project Director for Alfred McAlpine, said: “Works are progressing well and the Project is using some innovative construction techniques to deliver the business park.  The use of a local supply chain has been a main aim of the Project Team to which we believe we have fulfilled our requirement.  Training of the local labour force has also been initiated in the hope of improving each individual’s employment prospects in the longer term.”

Stuart Klosinski of Furness Enterprise, added: “We are delighted that so many jobs have been created for local people and that several local firms are engaged on this major project.”

Ray Cormack, Programme Manager for Regeneration Projects at Capita Symonds, said: “It has been extremely rewarding for Capita Symonds to undertake the design and oversee the construction works on the first phase of the Business Park, which has provided employment for people in the Furness area.  We look forward to using the experience gained on the first phase to design and oversee subsequent stages of the Waterfront Business Park and provide a pivotal role in this exciting part of Barrow’s regeneration.”

Secretary of State for Business and Enterprise and MP for Barrow John Hutton cut the first sod of Ramsden Business Park during a ceremony on September 28. Since then a significant amount of initial infrastructure and remediation work has been carried out.

The Waterfront Barrow-in-Furness Masterplan consists of The Waterfront Business Park; a new Marina Village boasting 650 homes, a hotel, leisure facilities, restaurants and bars; a new 400-berth marina and Watersports Centre; a cruise ship terminal providing a sea gateway to The Lake District; and a wetland nature reserve.

Ends

1: For further information and to confirm attendance to the ceremony contact West Lakes Renaissance PR and Communications Manager Luke Dicicco on 01768 861310 or 07799035390 or email luke.dicicco@cumbriavision.co.uk.

2: To learn more about The Waterfront Barrow-in-Furness project visit the dedicated website www.waterfrontbpbarrow.com. You can also get more information at Cumbria Vision’s website www.cumbriavision.co.uk.

3: For enquiries about locating to The Waterfront Business Park contact Stuart Klosinski at Furness Enterprise on 01229 820611.

4: West Lakes Renaissance is the Urban Regeneration Company for Furness and West Cumbria, which is striving to turn around the economy of a sub region that stretches from Morecambe Bay to the Solway Firth. We will invest more than £200 million in these areas over the next 10 years, creating 5,000 new jobs. For more information on West Lakes Renaissance visit www.westlakesrenaissance.co.uk

5: West Lakes Renaissance is supported by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), which leads the economic development and regeneration of England's Northwest and is responsible for: Supporting business growth and encouraging investment; Matching skills provision to employer needs; Creating the conditions for economic growth; Connecting the region through effective transport and communication infrastructure; Promoting the region’s outstanding quality of life. www.nwda.co.uk

6: Cumbria County Council is a founding partner of and the accountable body for West Lakes Renaissance. www.cumbria.gov.uk