Business Hour
Blackpool is seeing a period of growth. Good transport links, low business rates and being a popular tourist destination are all in the town’s favour. Tracy Hargreaves talks to Rob Green at Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone, a multi-million-pound scheme that is going from strength to strength
Originally qualified as a Chartered Surveyor, Rob has over 40 years’ experience in both public and private sector joint ventures, urban regeneration and economic development, working on high profile projects at Liverpool City Council Estates, Knowsley Borough Council, Pilkington Properties, Speke Garston Development Company, NWDA Rochdale Kingsway Business Park and Re-Blackpool.
Originally from the Wirral, but now living in Ormskirk, he comes from a family of local government officers and so working in the same sector came as no surprise. He has worked on some major contracts across the north west and Cumbria over the years, from town centre developments, residential properties on industrial sites and the regeneration of Speke airport.
In 2002 he moved to the Urban Generation company in Blackpool, however when that wound up, he went to work for Blackpool Council heading up an economic development company.
He is currently the head of enterprise zones on Blackpool’s growth and prosperity team, heading up the promotion and regeneration of Hillhouse Enterprise Zone (138 hectares) and Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone (144 hectares), with a special responsibility for overseeing Blackpool Airport, as part of Blackpool’s £1bn growth and prosperity investment programme for region.
“It’s been so exciting to work on,” said Rob. “I only thought I would be here for a couple of years. The council have been so supportive and positive. We’ve had our challenges, but we have been encouraged by what we are seeing so far.”
Blackpool has seen some £500 million of investment over the last few years resulting in an impressive renaissance. However this only represents the beginning with many more schemes now being actively developed with Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone leading the way, over its 25 year life span it will transform the Blackpool and the Fylde Coast’s economic base with over £300 million of private investment and the creation of 5,000 jobs supported by new infrastructure. All of this means that a revitalised Blackpool is not just an attractive place to work and visit, but also a great place to invest.
“We’ve had some really good companies move in,” said Rob. The site is home to around 100 businesses, including the Silverline call line charity, set up by Esther Rantzen to help the elderly and vulnerable and a 40,000 sq factory for Multi-Ply, which makes components for medical X-ray equipment.”
The Enterprise Zone has also kept its aircraft heritage. It is home to one of the bases for the North West Air Ambulance and in 2018 a state-of-the-art flight simulator that is based on a B737-800NG model, the world’s leading twin-engine passenger aircraft opened, where enthusiasts can take control in the captain’s seat for the full experience of take-off, in flight cruising and landing at international airports of their choice. In addition, Blackpool Airport is home to the Hangar 42 aviation museum which hosts a vintage, air-worthy Hurricane fighter of the type which fought in Polish colours against the Nazis in the Battle of Britain.
Despite Covid, work on the Enterprise Zone has continued. “Things are still broadly on track,” adds Rob. “they are just taking a little bit longer. Meeting virtually is not always ideal, most of the construction industry has carried on, but some companies have been cautious and deferred decisions.
“A lot of the smaller airports shut at the beginning of lockdown, but Blackpool kept going for executive travel, private flights and for transport to the oil rigs. We also haven’t seen much in the way of business casualties. Business rates relief has encouraged a lot of smaller companies to take some of the vacant outlets we have.
“This is a 25-year programme and we estimate a diversification of employment. It has already seen the creation of more than 1500 jobs for local people. Many think Blackpool’s main income is tourism, but it actually has large manufacturing and energy sectors as well as medical technology.”
The next exciting phase for the Enterprise Zone will be the creation of new sports facilities. Located at Common Edge Road, the sports development scheme will cover approximately 14 hectares to the south east of the Enterprise Zone, along Common Edge Road. It includes 12 new grass pitches, a full size 3G rugby and football pitch with floodlighting, training and spectator facilities, plus a new changing and social pavilion.
“The new development and improved facilities will enhance the sporting experience and sports training opportunities at the site for the local people,” said Rob.
“I feel privileged to be part of such an exciting scheme which will make a difference to the people and businesses in Blackpool and really put the town on the map as a place for innovation and investment.”
