Goole has seen a wave of investment in recent years.
The town’s strategic location, with excellent transport links to Leeds, Doncaster, York, Hull and Sheffield, has already attracted significant investment from companies including Siemens Mobility, Beal Homes and Croda.
Goole is also home to one of the three Humber Freeport tax sites – providing 500 acres of prime development land split into two different plots of land.
On one plot, plans have been submitted by Finnish manufacturer Metsä Tissue and Wykeland Group to build the UK’s largest tissue paper mill, in an investment which could span hundreds of millions of pounds.
Separately, Henry Boot Developments (HBD) – working with landowner St John’s College Cambridge – is planning to create up to 5.5m sq ft of industrial space adjacent to the M62 motorway.
Tom Wheldon, Director and Head of Region at HBD, explains how freeport status further enhances the opportunity for investors in Goole.
Tom Wheldon, far right, joined a panel event in Goole to discuss investment opportunities in the town.
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Why is freeport status important for the Humber?
Freeport status offers a major opportunity for the Humber to attract valuable inward investment.
For any businesses making a significant capital expenditure, whether that’s new machinery or new jobs, it offers the chance to reposition themselves for growth.
Freeport status and the associated benefits will assist with decision-making in a competitive market, helping get deals across the line.
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What role does it play in supporting investment within the region?
When selecting a location, businesses will prioritise access to key markets, labour and power.
Freeport status is unlikely to be a decision-maker in isolation, but the benefits it offers businesses looking to grow could tip the balance in favour of the Humber region.
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How has freeport status benefitted your business? (if relevant)
We anticipate freeport status in Goole will attract inward investment from the EU and beyond, while generating economic benefits for the wider region.
The Humber Freeport tax site in Goole.
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What benefits do major investments bring in terms of skills and innovation?
Businesses within the freeport have the opportunity to work more closely with other organisations within the supply chain to improve their own efficiency and establish new skills, techniques and processes.
Effective collaboration could accelerate growth beyond the impact of a single occupier.
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Humber Freeport has aligned itself closely to the decarbonisation of industry – what is the scale of the opportunity for the region as a leader in green energy and renewable technologies?
The need for major businesses to reduce their carbon footprint is a key driver for the Humber region, modernising processes, particularly in industries like manufacturing.
Bolstered by the Freeport, Humber has an exciting opportunity to lead the way in developing new renewable technologies and green capabilities.
Humber Freeport will play its part in helping occupiers to become more energy efficient and reduce their carbon footprint.
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To what extent do you feel Freeport status has acted as a catalyst in bringing forward or reinforcing other initiatives within the Humber?
Freeport status is a major reason for businesses to choose the Humber region given that the costs to relocate are not insignificant – the benefits will make it easier to make an investment decision.
There are various initiatives in play to drive growth within the region; freeport status will undoubtedly aid the work already underway.
