Manufacturing Highlighted in latest LEP Sector Research

The Cheshire and Warrington LEP has commissioned a report to determine the industrial and commercial strengths of the sub-region.  The report which sets out a sector analysis of the Cheshire and Warrington economy revealed it to be nationally significant with a wide variety of sectors represented across the area, highlighting Cheshire as one of the strongest performing economies outside London and the South East. 

With an economic value of £22bn and plans to grow this to £30 billion by 2030, production was highlighted as a significant contributor to the Cheshire and Warrington economy and identified Cheshire and Warrington as an important manufacturing hub.

Christine Gaskell, Chair of the Cheshire and Warrington LEP commented;

“Cheshire and Warrington is a significant economic area and with both a strong productive industrial base and strengths in financial services is has a more balanced economy than many other locations in the UK. 

We have a compelling message to offer with the large population catchment area, a good managerial and professional skills base and access to graduates as well as national and international transport connectivity.

We have the right leadership, infrastructure, skills, transport links and development opportunities in place to realise our ambitions to grow our economy even further.”

With over 1,075 registered businesses disclosing turnovers in excess of £1 million, Cheshire and Warrington is not polarised towards manufacturing.  Key sectors identified were: Manufacturing, Pharmaceuticals, Automotive, Chemicals, Nuclear and Energy and Financial Services.  The sectors identified are strong from both an employment and output perspective.

Cheshire and Warrington shows particular concentrations of activity including: pharmaceuticals in Cheshire East; nuclear in Warrington; and financial services in Chester.

Howard Hopwood, deputy chair of Cheshire and Warrington LEP commented;

"Cheshire is the best kept secret in the UK. Our economy is very vibrant and contributes £22billon to the national economy.

Cheshire and Warrington remains an important manufacturing economy with a higher proportion of output gained from manufacturing than Merseyside, Greater Manchester or Lancashire.

Our manufacturing location is of great importance and the message we are delivering is just how strong Cheshire and Warrington is and what great opportunities exist here.”

Looking forward, software and digital media represents an area of huge growth for the UK economy and an area in which Cheshire and Warrington could attract further investment given the international links, potential customer base (including Media City) and the living environment.

The full report can be downloaded from www.candwlep.co.uk

(The information on this page has been taken from the Regionplus NW newsletter)