Businesses urged to have their say on draft local industrial strategy

Businesses across Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire are being urged have their say on a draft local industrial strategy for the area.

Each local enterprise partnership area has been asked by the Government to form its own industrial strategy which reflects on their own identities, strengths and needs.

They will set out clearly defined priorities for how cities, towns and rural areas will maximise their contribution to UK productivity.

The Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership (SSLEP) has been developing its local industrial strategy over the last few months, working with industry consultants Metro Dynamics and carrying out extensive consultation with businesses, further education organisations, local authorities and other partners.

The LIS is a ten-year strategy and once it has been formally approved, the LEP will move forward with its implementation plan.

The strategy will aim to support companies to grow, develop and innovate and help benefit the economy of the area. It will also set out how the LEP will invest its resources to make this happen. It maps out the area’s key industries, skills levels, opportunities and challenges.

People can view the draft strategy here: SSLEP LIS – Draft for Public Consultation – 10.01.2020

Any comments, observations or suggestions should be sent to: samantha.hicks@staffordshire.gov.uk

Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire LEP chairman Alun Rogers said:

Our local industrial strategy is vital as it will steer our work as a LEP and ensure we can give the right support to our businesses and partners.”

Our approach has been data and insight lead working with industry experts to draw up our draft strategy using the invaluable input from businesses and partner organisations. The LIS will guide our future economic growth strategy and so it is crucial we get it right. It will help to enable our businesses to be as productive as possible and ensure our economy remains strong as we move forward.

We want to demonstrate to Government that as an area we will continue to play a key part in UK economic growth and are able to maximise opportunities at such a critical time for the country. Before we submit our final LIS, we want to give businesses and partners a chance to have their say on the draft document.”