£1bn North East Wales Investment Zone progress

Progress is being made on the £1bn Wrexham and Flintshire Investment Zone, as FI Real Estate Management (FIREM) confirms its commitment to expansion in the area.

The initiative, supported by £160m from the Welsh and UK Governments, is expected to generate 6,000 jobs and provide 5.5 million square feet of advanced manufacturing space.

The project recently reached a key milestone with confirmation of its industrial focus and designated sites, including Wrexham Industrial Estate, which is home to major employers such as JCB. Among FIREM’s developments within the zone are Wrexham 1M, Wrexham 152, and Bridgeway Centre.

FIREM is set to expand its presence through its Wrexham 1M project, a one-million-square-foot logistics site poised to create 1,000 jobs and strengthen the region’s economic prospects.

The company has already invested over £136m in Wrexham Industrial Estate over the past 20 years.

Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, recently visited the Wrexham 1M site to learn more about FIREM’s ambitions. She said:

“North East Wales is already home to incredible talent and expertise. Align this with the latest innovation and Government support and we believe the sky is the limit for the region in terms of delivering future economic growth and good-quality jobs.

“This is a hugely exciting time for advanced manufacturing in North Wales, and I am encouraged by the progress of the Wrexham and Flintshire Investment Zone and the collaborative efforts of the Corporate Joint Committee, local authorities, both governments and of course businesses in getting to this important stage.”

Tim Knowles, Managing Director and Founder of FIREM, welcomed the development:

“As a developer that has had operations in Wrexham for almost 20 years, we’re proud to be playing a pivotal role in Wrexham’s transformation into a thriving hub for advanced manufacturing in the UK.

“We have huge belief in the potential of the city and region, and we know that this ambitious mission and the creation of the £160m Investment Zone will enable businesses to flourish, growth sectors to prosper and surrounding communities to benefit.”

Before her visit to Wrexham Industrial Estate, Rebecca Evans also attended a regional engagement event at Coleg Cambria in Wrexham, meeting with businesses and stakeholders to discuss economic priorities for North East Wales.