Dudley enterprise plan launched bidding to create thousands of jobs and attract 300 businesses

The aspirations for the new DY5 Business and Innovation Enterprise Zone were told to business leaders and council bosses at the Copthorne Hotel in Brierley Hill on Thursday morning.

The zone is on 170 acres of land at Blackbrook Valley industrial estate and Pensnett, as well as office space on the Waterfront.

It is hoped to create 7,000 new jobs over 25 years.

The launch event included talks from council bosses, a key note speech from West Midlands Mayor Andy Street and a chance for business bosses to get to know each other through a networking event.

Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of Dudley Council, said: "These are very impressive plans that will put Dudley on the map.

"We want to send a message to businesses that we are open for business, that we have exciting opportunities for them and they are welcome here.

"This is not just an opportunity for office space or a place for technology businesses to work, we also want industrial businesses to come here, we have such a rich heritage for that in the Black Country it would be great to see it continue.

"These are long term plans but they also include opportunities in the short term for businesses."

The Government-supported initiative attracts firms by offering up to £55,000 per year business rate discount over five years.

Other benefits include a Metro line to be extended to Brierley Hill by 2023.

Alan Lunt, Dudley Council’s strategic director for place, said: "The launch event has been really positive, there have been some interesting conversations held and it is great to see business leaders getting together.

"We have so much to offer in Dudley for businesses, this will highlight that and give us a bit more pulling power.

"The success of this scheme will be determined by the economy and we will see over time but certainly all of the signals are there that we can do this.

"It will have to be bigger than party politics and whoever is in charge over the coming years will have to make sure this good work is carried on."

The scheme was also backed by Ninder Johal, a board member for the Black Country Local Enterprise Board.

He said: "I am pleased to see these plans unveiled and I hope businesses will take the opportunities available to them to have our assistance and also the councils.

"This isn't just about local business, we want national and international companies to come to Dudley and we believe that we can now give them good reasons to do so."