Inward investment all ‘mapped out’ for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire

InStaffs is hoping to boost the inward investment fortunes of Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire by launching a new marketing tool to promote £500m of strategic development sites currently available in the County. The full colour, fold out map details some of the major strategic sites in the area, which includes enterprise centres, logistics units, grade ‘A’ office space and what will be one of the UK’s most eco-friendly industrial parks. It has already been sent out to 600 agents, accountants, solicitors and developers both at home and overseas in a bid to raise awareness and ultimately

attract tens of millions of pounds and create thousands of local jobs. Tony Joynson, Project Manager, explained the reasons behind the new drive:

“We are currently experiencing one of the busiest periods of speculative build in our history and our role is to help make the property market and companies aware of the opportunities currently available.” He continued: “The map is largely intended for professionals to use and then pass on to their clients. People appreciate it, as it helps them see places in context and we all know how important location is in the overall scheme of things.”

“Agents may be very clued up to where the sites are, but if they try to explain it to an end user it can sometimes be difficult. This is where this new marketing tool will come in very useful as the names of the development aren’t always in relation to where they are situated” The map, which is the same size as its ordnance survey counterpart, also features a host of information on drive times from major cities, airports and ports and up-to-the minute population figures, which show that over 1 million people live in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.

Each strategic site featured contains its own photo and specific ‘pen profile’ covering information, such as land size, planning uses and major companies situated nearby. Tony continued: “What is really pleasing is that there are schemes in all areas of Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire. For example, Staffordshire Technology Park, the 200-acre Centrum 100 in Burton upon Trent and Sibson Mill’s Sandy Hill Park in Tamworth.

“Landmark schemes like Chatterley Valley and Keele University Science Park’s next phase are also in there representing the North, with Southern Staffordshire’s presence as strong as ever, with i54, Hilton Cross and Kingswood Lakeside Enterprise Park.” He went on to add: “There is a lot of interest in the area at the moment and developer confidence is extremely high thanks to good land availability, our excellent location and competitive rental values.”