Insider Media Limited

Proposals have been submitted to the Greater Birmingham LEP for the creation of an enterprise zone in Cannock Chase, the president of the Cannock Chase Chamber of Commerce has told Insider. Fred Pritchard said he would like the region’s enterprise zone – which was announced by Chancellor George Osborne last week – to be set up “not solely for Birmingham and Solihull’s benefit, but as a fair representation of the region”.

The Chancellor revealed through his Budget speech that 21 enterprise zones would be created across the country, offering tax breaks and broadband services. Through his speech, it was announced that at least two zones would be set up in the West Midlands - in the Black Country and Birmingham/Solihull.

Pritchard told Insider that the chamber had “made a case” for the Birmingham/Solihull zone to be located in Cannock Chase, which has a youth unemployment rate of more than 20 per cent.

He said: “We would like to see Cannock Chase picked as a ‘satellite’ zone for the scheme – we’ve put forward proposals for three areas to be including central Cannock; Hednesford and Rugeley. Each would be a zone in their own right, but would work together under the Cannock Chase umbrella.”

The chamber submitted the proposals to the Greater Birmingham LEP, of which Cannock Chase is a member.

Pritchard is chairman of property regeneration company the Pritchard Group, a role he was promoted to at the beginning of the year.

Despite critics retaining a cautious view of the enterprise zones after their limited success under Margaret Thatcher’s government in the 1980’, Pritchard said he felt the scheme would bring huge benefits to the region.

“I think the people who think they’ll be a failure this time round are largely misinformed,” he said. “I remember the zones the first time, and the Merry Hill area was, to a large extent, re-energised. Jobs were created and the economy was rebuilt – I think they can be just as successful now.”

He added that he wanted the set-up of the Birmingham/Solihull enterprise zone to be “a fair representation of the region”.

“I want the zone to be set up fairly and shared out to those regions which really need the benefits,” said Pritchard. “Cannock is certainly one of those – and I think the region could bring in a lot of new businesses. We have a willing and able workforce in the area, and lots of land available for development. It really could be the kick-start that’s needed to boost our economy.”