Ellesmere Port Hub - New opportunities for local businesses

Work is progressing well in Ellesmere Port, following the opening of the Bus Interchange in November, work has moved to the Hub building.

Contractors VINCI Construction UK have reported the project is on schedule with piling work completed on site before Christmas. This month will include drainage work and the final bus stand F will be completed, following cabling installation. 

Councillor Carol Gahan, Cabinet Member for Legal and Finance said: “The reports from site are very encouraging, construction has been one of the essential business areas permitted to continue during the COVID restrictions. What this means is there is local work for other businesses and new employment opportunities as the new building progresses.” 

Local businesses recently brought into the new building project include: 

• Hollingsworth Bro’s (Sandycroft) – Groundworks and S185 Sewer Diversion 
• Bretton Architectural (Chester) – Curtain Walling
• ESL Group Ltd (Wrexham) – Roofing/Cladding
• Lester Roofing & Cladding (Buckley) – Roofing/Cladding
• W.A.S.P (Chester) – Curtain Walling
• D Morgan Plc (Ellesmere Port) – Demolition & Remediation

The COVID-19 site operations plan is being monitored and updated regularly and additional briefings have been delivered to the work force, focusing on the needs to maintain social distancing, wearing of masks and good hygiene.

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Work Zone team are working closely with VINCI Construction UK to ensure jobs can be secured locally and the necessary training offered. The first phase of works had a small work force which is due to increase this year. One of the first local jobs onsite was a cleaner employed by a sub-contractor. 

The COVID restrictions have proved challenging for the contractors with work carried out in the local community however they have attended a talk on careers in construction with a group of job seekers arranged via the Work Zone.

Contact has also been made with local schools and colleges for future site visits, talks on careers and opportunities in construction for year 10 and 11 students. In the first instance there are plans to arrange a number of virtual presentations whilst COVID restriction prevent site visits. 

The new hub building, and bus zone are part of the Ellesmere Port Masterplan, a 15-year vision for Ellesmere Port. 

The new hub provides the most cost-effective solution to the provision of council and partner services in the town when compared with the alternative of refurbishing Civic Way offices which will be demolished as part of the wider masterplan proposals. This space will then be made available for new housing for families and young professionals to live in the town.

The Government’s Local Growth Fund is funding half of the £16 million project through the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership.

Local Growth Fund

Local Enterprise Partnerships are playing a vital role in driving forward economic growth across the country, helping to build a country that works for everyone.

By 2021 the Government will have invested over £12bn through the Local Growth Fund, allowing LEPs to use their local knowledge to get all areas of the country firing on all cylinders.

Some additional key facts:

• There are 38 LEPs covering the whole of England
• The government has awarded £9.1bn in three rounds of Growth Deals to local areas to drive economic growth.
• LEPs are investing in a wide range of projects including transport, skills, business support, broadband, innovation and flood defences.

Northern Powerhouse

Some Northern Powerhouse key facts:

• The Northern Powerhouse is a key aspect of this Government’s approach to addressing the productivity gap in the North and ensuring a stronger, more sustainable economy for all parts of the UK.

• The government has awarded £3.4bn in three rounds of Growth Deals across the Northern Powerhouse.

Pictured - Ellesmere Port Bus Interchange