Local delegations are representing Hertfordshire at this year’s MIPIM UK in Olympia to demonstrate to potential investors all that the county has to offer.
In the post Brexit landscape it is even more important to show that the UK and Herts remains open for business. To that end local authorities, University of Hertfordshire and Hertfordshire Growth Hub led by Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership have taken a stand at the UK’s largest exhibition and conference centre for property professionals.
MIPIM UK, which runs until Friday (21 October) provides a unique market place for industry players and national and international visitors to meet, discuss projects and opportunities.
Over just three days delegations from across the county are showcasing all that Hertfordshire has to offer. A microsite www.hertfordshire-opportunity.com has mapped for the first time the key growth opportunity areas across the county. And a film shows potential investors why Hertfordshire is perfectly placed for business thanks to its excellent transport links, quality of life, highly skilled workforce, thriving key sectors and entrepreneurial culture.
One of the biggest opportunities to come forward is the new Enviro-Tech Enterprise Zone covering major sites at Maylands Business Park. Hemel, BRE and Rothamsted Research. The EZ is building on these assets to create an internationally recognised employment zone focusing on the emerging enviro-tech sector. This will complement our innovative occupiers in sectors such as space research, medical and digital technology and animation. The benefits for businesses locating onto the Enterprise Zone are:
- Up to 100% business rate discount worth up to £275,000 per business
- Fast tracked local authority planning decisions
- Access to enviro-tech expertise from private and public sector partners led by Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership.
Businesses already within our Enterprise Zone may be eligible for the business rate discountin certain circumstances. They may also benefit from the improvements in Broadband coverage and fast tracked planning decisions. And the potential overspill benefits of a world-class EZ located within the county are huge with the opportunity for businesses elsewhere in the county to be part of the supply chain and benefit from the trading environment.
Town centre regeneration projects are proposed or already underway in Hemel Hempstead, Watford and South Oxhey with major opportunities coming forward in Stevenage and Hatfield. Huge infrastructure investment, such as the Metropolitan Line Extension, is set to have a transformative effect on Watford, with three key development sites set to provide thousands of new jobs, homes, office, community and retail space opportunities.
In Broxbourne three major development sites are being brought forward. The district is also set to benefit from proposed Crossrail 2 line, which will connect Hertfordshire with London and the wider South East, reducing journey times and unlocking future development by providing the infrastructure needed to support new homes and jobs.
Part of Elstree Way Corridor has been designated a Housing Zone by the Government with up to 1,500 new homes and significant employment opportunities. Elsewhere Business Improvement District (BID) status is providing additional town centre attractiveness in Royston, Hitchin and Letchworth.
If you would like to find out more about these and many other growth opportunities across the county visit the website www.hertfordshire-opportunity.com. Click here to view the trailer ‘Hertfordshire Perfectly Placed‘
