BRITISH BUSINESS PARKS MAKES ITS MARK

Rundown and neglected business parks across Staffordshire and the West Midlands are being revitalised thanks to the efforts of regeneration organisation British Business Parks.

BBP is ensuring that problematic business parks become attractive propositions by reversing issues such as crime and lack of investment.

Supported by Advantage West Midlands and the Government Office for the West Midlands, BBP encourages companies based in a given area to work together to create a better business environment while helping them take advantage of a range of products and services.

Local authorities and other public agencies are encouraged to work with the business community to help regenerate the wider community.

There are currently 18 business parks established in Staffordshire and the West Midlands benefiting from BBP help and advice and, since 2002, BBP's activity in Staffordshire has stimulated the creation of over 230 new jobs, safeguarded nearly 700 and resulted in over £1.5 million of investment.

For example, BBP has been working with sites in Cannock and Burntwood . By successfully accessing grant aid from the European Regional Development Fund, BBP was able to secure significant investment in Cannock and Burntwood .

At the Hawks Green Business Park , factory units have been revamped, the layout of the site improved and a site map installed giving the location of each company.

This work was copied at Burntwood where a collection of four separate sites was brought together under a single banner giving the area greater focus.

A BBP-commissioned report showed that the four sites lacked cohesiveness and needed a sense of identity. It concluded the easiest way of doing this would be to bring all four sites under one banner, the Burntwood Business Park .

Similar work has been carried out in Wolverhampton where two key employment sites in Wolverhampton and Bilston are set for a major makeover, courtesy of a partnership between the City Council, the Black Country Chamber and Business Link, British Business Parks and West Midlands Police.

The sites running adjacent to the A41 have been neglected for some time leading to problems with crime and vandalism that have in turn, starved the area of investment.

A strong and enthusiastic group of businesses have formed a partnership "The Metro Business Partnerships" and are working with the partners to implement a number of key improvements.

BBP has also taken on the management of the Sandy Lane Industrial Estate in Stourport. It holds regular consultations with the companies on the site to ask them the improvements they see as important. These are then priority rated so that work can be carried out on a needs basis.

The organisation also helps to stimulate business in other ways. In Cannock and Burntwood, BBP organised free IT training by arranging for a specially-equipped double decker bus to visit companies.

It recently organised a successful trade fair in Burntwood, attended by more than 50 companies. The event featured companies from 11 BBP-managed industrial estates across the region and the prestigious nature of the show was reflected in the impressive range of sponsors lending their support that included London and Cambridge Properties, UK Trade and Investment, Lichfield District Council and the Staffordshire Business Environment Network.

Vanessa Emery, Project Manager of British Business Parks said: "The business park concept has assisted many industrial estates across the West Midlands in reducing crime and improving their working environment. Businesses are able to take control and have a greater influence as a result of British Business Park 's initiative. We very much look forward to continuing this valuable work".

For more information visit the BBP website at www.britishbusinessparks.co.uk