Enabling growth and investment
The Economic Growth Team enables economic growth across Shropshire by identifying opportunities for strategic growth, development and infrastructure improvements that will help the county’s economy to thrive. We follow a robust process to achieve the best outcomes...
- Identify project pipelines
- Secure funding from local, regional and national sources
- Project delivery
Oswestry Innovation Park is a flagship employment development that will provide high-quality serviced employment land to support business growth, investment and job creation in Oswestry and the wider region.
Significant enabling and infrastructure works have been completed, including the site access, spine roads, drainage and other preparatory works required to bring the site forward. The council is now progressing the next phase of delivery, including utilities and servicing infrastructure, to ensure that the site is ready to accommodate future occupiers.
Interest in the scheme continues from a range of local, regional and national businesses, reflecting the site's strategic location and long-term economic potential. We remain committed to bringing forward the Innovation Park as a key driver of economic growth and investment in north Shropshire. Businesses interested in learning more about Oswestry Innovation Park or registering their interest in future development opportunities can contact Halls, our appointed marketing agent, by emailing james.evans@hallsgb.com or calling 01743 450700.
In Shrewsbury we're working on the Shrewsbury Moves movement strategy in partnership with Shrewsbury Town Council and Shrewsbury BID to improve the flow of people and vehicles around the town. The strategy contains 18 proposals to improve transport, some of which can be self-funding whereas others will require support from regional and national stakeholders. If the strategy is adopted following consultation, we'll work towards securing funding for the initiatives that require it. We've already secured funding from the government’s Levelling Up Fund to complete the enabling works for the Smithfield Riverside development and improvement to the gyratory in Shrewsbury.
Aerial photographs of Oswestry Innovation Park, Footbridge and Mile End Roundabout September 2024
Local growth is supported by the 18 place plans which cover the whole of the county. The plans provide an holistic view of each area ‘as is’ and the infrastructure developments they'll require in future.
Targeted economic growth infrastructure has taken place, and continues, across Shropshire, providing business premises for new, growing and relocating businesses such as Bishop's Castle Business Park. The full range of current developments can be viewed on Invest In Shropshire’s website. Support for local businesses can also be found on the Shropshire Growth Hub website.
We also work to ensure that Shropshire’s digital infrastructure meets the needs of businesses and residents. Between 2013 and 2023 the Connecting Shropshire broadband programme oversaw an increase in superfast broadband coverage from 24% of the premises in the Shropshire Council area to >98%. Work is ongoing so that as technology advances, those living and working in Shropshire are able to benefit.