MIDDLEWICH MP Fiona Bruce is calling on Cheshire East Council, the Local Enterprise Partnership and business leaders to support the designation of a new enterprise zone in the Congleton constituency. 

The government is building on the success of the existing 24 enterprise zones which by last December had attracted 15,500 jobs around the country since they opened three years ago.

The Chancellor George Osborne announced in last week’s budget that all Local Enterprise Partnerships now have the opportunity to support an enterprise zone and all can now bid. 

This will allow more places outside cities to have the opportunity for an enterprise zone and Fiona Bruce wants to see her constituency take advantage.

Fiona said: “Local councils are being urged to work with their Local Enterprise Partnerships to come forward with ambitious plans for new enterprise zones and to identify businesses on their patch with investment or export potential. This includes building on the commercial strengths of rural areas.

“Ministers want local business and civic leaders to encourage firms with shared interests to stand together and form a stronger commercial proposition. 

“These new zones, if supported by a strong business case, will enable places to drive growth and jobs creation.

“For as long as I have been MP for the Congleton Constituency enterprising local business people have commented to me that they could get better government grants and support if they ran their business in other areas not far away.

"It is critical that we support and strengthen local businesses and the jobs they create especially for our young people who want to work and live locally.”