Businesses urged to have their say and help shape new industrial strategy

Businesses across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire are being urged to help shape the area’s new industrial strategy at one of a series of free workshops in the coming weeks.

Each local enterprise partnership area has been asked by the Government to form its own industrial strategy which reflects on their own identities, strengths and needs.

They will set out clearly defined priorities for how cities, towns and rural areas will maximise their contribution to UK productivity.

In March 2019, the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SSLEP) began work on its local industrial strategy. It will aim to support companies like to grow, develop and innovate and help benefit the economy of the area. The strategy will also set out how the LEP will invest its resources to make this happen.

Each session will focus on one of Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire’s key industry sectors. The first sessions take place next Thursday June 27 and Friday June 28.

They will take place on the following dates and at these locations:

  • Thursday June 27, 10am to 12.30pm, for the logistics sector, Tamworth Enterprise Centre, Philip Dix House, Corporation Street, B79 7DN
  • Thursday June 27, 1.30pm to 4pm, for the aero-auto sector, Pirelli Stadium, Princess Way, Burton-on-Trent, DE13 0AR
  • Friday June 28, 10am to 12.30pm, for the med-tech sector, Newcastle College, Knutton Lane, ST5 2GB
  • Friday June 28, 1.30pm to 4pm, for the digital sector, Stafford College, Earl Street, ST16 2QR
  • Thursday July 11, 10am to 12.30am, for professional and business services, Staffordshire University (TBC), Leek Road, Stoke on Trent, ST4 2DF
  • Thursday July 11, 2pm to 4pm for the advanced materials sector, Leek College Campus, Stockwell Street, Leek, ST13 6DP
  • Friday July 12, 10am to 12.30pm, for the rural and agri-food sector, Rodbaston Campus, Penkridge, ST19 5PH
  • Friday July 12, 1.30pm to 4pm, for the energy sector, Yarnfield Park, Yarnfield, Stone, ST15 0NL

To reserve a place people should contact Sam Hicks at SSLEP on 01785 895192 or email samantha.hicks@staffordshire.gov.uk

Anyone who would like to get involved but is unable to attend a session can get in touch and the LEP team will arrange an alternative.

Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire LEP deputy chairman Alun Rogers said: “Development of our local industrial strategy is vital as it will steer our work as a LEP and ensure we can give the right support to our businesses.

“We cannot put it together successfully without the input of local businesses so they can be as productive as possible and our economy remains strong as we move forward.

“We also want to demonstrate to Government that as an area we will continue to play a key part in UK economic growth. I’d urge businesses to come on board and have their say.”

Sessions will be facilitated by Metro Dynamics, experts in developing strategies for places. They will provide a short summary of the key economic and business trends in the area and then support discussion sessions about the opportunities for growth and what support would best help businesses to achieve their potential.

There will be refreshments and an opportunity for networking.