Decision details

Decision – That the oral report of the Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills giving an update on “Staffordshire Means Back to Business” activity including the following matters be noted:

• UK clothing firm Asos’s decision to build a £90million distribution centre in Staffordshire at Fradley Park, Lichfield, creating 2,000 jobs over the next three years.
• A £48million distribution base for national retailer Pets at Home has been approved in Stafford creating 1,200 jobs.

• Pledges from District and Borough Councils in Staffordshire totalling just under £3M to support the following initiatives:

-       Staffordshire 500, Apprentices Wage Support

-       Nil Cost Training for Employers Top Up Project

-       Small Business “To Thrive” Financial Support

• The Council taking ownership of the former Magistrates building in Stafford which will form part of the Eastgate regeneration scheme.
• The extension of i54 in South Staffordshire and the discussion with a potential investor on the site.
• 158 people signing on to the Staffordshire Start Up Scheme.
• The Council’s new Start-Up Business Loans scheme was now operational.

The work with the Council’s Destination Management Partners to support the Leisure Tourism and Hospitality sectors.