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Bristol office scheme to be heart of New Enterprise Zone
Temple Quarter chosen to become West of England Enterprise Area
Article posted: 20 Jun 2011
The West of England Local Enterprise Partnership has named Bristol’s Temple Quarter as the official Enterprise Zone which will act as a magnet for inward investment and boost the local economy by creating thousands of new jobs.
Meanwhile five other places have been given Enterprise Area status which will bring benefits and make it easier for developments to take place, ensuring economic growth across the whole of the sub-region.
The selected Enterprise Zone covers 173 acres of land surrounding and to the north and east of Bristol Temple Meads Railway Station. Initial estimates suggest that potentially well over 250 businesses could be accommodated in the Zone and that its redevelopment will lead to the creation of almost 17,000 new jobs over a 25 year period in over 2.6m sq ft of new or refurbished accommodation featuring research and development floorspace, retail and office space in Bristol city centre as part of a wider mixed use development that is highly attractive to businesses looking to relocate.
There will be a particular focus on attracting creative industries and technology, but will be a hub for all creative minded businesses. Very high speed, pervasive digital connectivity will be a central feature of the Zone.
Bristol City Council Leader Barbara Janke said: "This is excellent news for Bristol and the whole region because the Temple Quarter site is a major gateway that has huge potential to generate jobs and investment. In five years alone almost 4,000 jobs will be created in around 40 businesses - with more to come in the long-term.
"The focus on creative industries and technology firms opens up opportunities of creating a media hub in the city, and will build on the world-class reputation of Bristol and the West in these sectors. The Enterprise Zone will also encourage the vision that we and partners have for Temple Meads as a major transport interchange."
Temple Quay is a highly successful development of Grade A offices in Bristol which has already attracted major occupiers such as Osborne Clarke, DEFRA, Bristol & West and BT. To date some 1m sq ft has been built and let. Building on this success the second phase of Temple Quay is well underway, which will provide 650,000 sq ft of A1 office space, up to 500 new homes (some in striking waterfront towers) and a range of waterfront cafes, restaurants and bars plus community uses.
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Posted by Jo
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