Hillhouse International Enterprise Zone goes live

Hillhouse International Enterprise Zone (EZ) in Thornton Cleveleys has been officially launched.

As an EZ, Hillhouse boasts a unique opportunity to build on its chemical and advanced plastics industries, as well as targeting firms within the energy led and advanced manufacturing sectors.

The new EZ, along with a sister zone at Blackpool Airport, will be overseen by the Blackpool, Fylde & Wyre Economic Development Company on behalf of the local authorities and Lancashire Enterprise Partnership (LEP). Both sites will now provide further opportunities for local businesses to develop.

"Working alongside Blackpool Airport and BAE EZs we now have the chance to make the Fylde Coast as a whole a really great place for businesses to relocate and expand."

Edwin Booth, chair of Lancashire LEP said: “The LEP’s Enterprise Zone strategy is based on twin-track approach which looks to deliver jobs and opportunities locally while also creating a county-wide network of high capacity and integrated business hubs that work closely together. To help fulfil this vision, the LEP has worked hard with local partners and Government to secure EZ status for Blackpool Airport and Hillhouse and we now have four strong EZ sites, including Samlesbury and Warton, which combined form a significant investor offer to new occupiers within the context of the Northern Powerhouse.”

"This provides a tremendous boost to our comprehensive investment plans for employment, technology and energy development at the site which can now be accelerated and will show the strength of our ambition and commitment to this site, the wider area and the Northern Powerhouse". The bid for EZ status was supported by Wyre Council, Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, Lancashire County Council, NPL Estates and the Blackpool Fylde & Wyre Economic Development Company.