Greg Clark, the Government Minister for Universities, Science and Cities, announced today that a Conservative Government would establish an enterprise zone in North Northumberland.
Greg Clark came to Berwick-upon-Tweed to meet the local Conservative candidate, Anne-Marie Trevelayan, who has been lobbying for the establishment of an enterprise zone in the region. The meeting took place at the offices of the award-winning, local business First4Websites.
Enterprise Zones aim to create jobs and boost businesses with advantages such as up to 100 per cent business-rate discounts, simplified planning regulations for certain developments, Governments commitments on superfast broadband and other tax relief. Greg Clark described this as a "big moment for Northumberland, an Enterprise Zone sends out a clear signal to start-up businesses and businesses relocating elsewhere, often overseas, that this is the perfect environment to come to". He added; "People have an increasing clear idea of the beauty of the area. This is a moment to say, 'actually, this is a good place to locate a business'."