Northern England’s economy has been transforming from its industrial roots to a more diversified business base. To attract investment and revitalise the region, several development projects are helping to add office space while renewing lands once used by industry for manufacturing and other activities.

Liverpool Waters

Liverpool Waters is a 30-year regeneration project that will transform the city’s northern docks and include infrastructure improvements. It is within the Mersey Waters Enterprise Zone, which also includes the peel International Trade Centre and the Wirral Waters redevelopment project. As part of the zone, businesses locating on the sprawling Liverpool Waters site will benefit from potential business rate discounts for five years. The new quarter in central Liverpool is also part of the £75-billion Atlantic Gateway, a massive project will create a 40-mile strategic corridor from the Port of Liverpool to Manchester.

Once completed in 2024-25, Liverpool Waters will create up to 7,500 temporary jobs and an estimated 33,000 permanent jobs according to the UK government’s Regeneration Investment Organisation (RIO). With a value estimated at £5.5 billion, the site covers an area of 60 hectares and will feature a blend of commercial, hotel, leisure and mixed use spaces as well as residential development. The large scale project’s master plan calls for more than 3.4 million square feet of business space spread across 88 plots. Buildings will range from 21,500 square feet and allow for bespoke designs. The site will complement development at Princes Dock, which already offers more than 225,000 square feet of office space.

The Northgate Scheme

The Northgate Scheme in nearby Chester is another mixed use development project that will bring new commercial space to the region. The development is part of Chester’s One City Plan, a development strategy that sets out a long-term vision for the city. With a gross development value of more than £350 million, the project will play an important role in driving the city’s revitalisation efforts. It will also help boost the local economy thanks to new flexible retail units that will help attract new businesses to Chester. The Northgate Scheme will complement other improvements to the city’s infrastructure, including the development of a new Central Business Quarter adjacent to Chester’s rail station. Northgate will be an important new base for businesses in retail and commercial sectors. Plans call for an anchor department store and five major store units. The site will also accommodate up to 50 shop units and 20 food and beverage units once it is complete in 2019-20. Plans also include the construction of the new Chester Market Hall, a multiplex cinema, and a cultural centre with an 800-seat theatre, studio spaces, conference facilities and a library. Just steps from Chester Cathedral and Abbey Square, Northgate will also incorporate the Chester’s Town Hall and includes the existing Crowne Plaza hotel.

Media City UK

In Manchester, Media City UK will develop Salford Quays on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal. The 200-acre development has already seen more than £650 million in development over 36 acres. The second phase of the project will see an addition 110 acres developed, including an estimated 2.3 million square feet of office space. There will also be new residential units, a hotel, up to 87,000 square feet in retail space, and 27,000 square feet in leisure space. In total, four phases of development will span over 20 years. Read more »

Founded in 1833, Springfield is home to more than 166,810 people. Along with nearby Branson, the surrounding metropolitan area has a population of nearly half a million. Known as the Queen City of the Ozarks, Springfield is Missouri’s third largest city and is a thriving regional economic hub. It ranks consistently as one of the top places to start a new business. A study ranking the U.S. cities by WalletHub in 2016 ranked Springfield as the eighth best city to start a business in the country, down slightly from its third place finish in 2015.

A number of factors contribute to making a city a great place to start a business. Variables range from affordable commercial properties and cost of living to easy access to resources like skills and financing. In terms of the cost of doing business, Springfield came on top in WalletHub’s 2016 ranking. Several state and city incentives also help new businesses in Springfield grow and succeed, including the City of Springfield’s Small Business Loan Program. The programme provides financing for business to buy and redevelop commercial properties. Loans also help businesses obtain working capital, inventory and equipment.

Businesses in Springfield benefit from easy access to essential resources needed to start a successful company, including skills, mentoring and financing. The city has a large talent pool thanks to three local universities – Missouri State University, Drury University and Evangel University. Universities offer new businesses a range of services and supports, including a seed capital fund and accelerator program based at Missouri State University’s eFactory. Drury University’s Edward Jones Center for Entrepreneurship also provides training for new entrepreneurs, while the Kauffman Foundation’s 1 Million Cups program offers start-ups opportunities to share their ideas with mentors and advisors.  Read more »