the business investors’
micro-guide to wrexham
everything: condensed
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“I admire commercial enterprise. Wherever it goes, activity, energy, intelligence – all that we call civilization – accompany it.” Thomas Telford
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credits Powered by the Wrexham Tomorrow ideology. Written and produced by Wrexham County Borough Council’s Assets and Economic Development Department. Designed by White Fox www.whitefox-design.co.uk Photography contributors include Wrexham County Borough Council, Eye Imagery, Sharp Manufacturing, Glyndwˆr University, Moneypenny and the Institution of Civil Engineers. To avoid infringing copyright, please do not reproduce any imagery in this document without talking to us first. The language of business is universal. However, we’d be delighted to provide this information in another language. Contact us with your requirements. t: 01978 292489 (overseas +44 1978 292489) e: chris.henshaw@wrexham.gov.uk
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this publication, Wrexham County Borough Council can accept no liability whatsoever for any errors, inaccuracies or omissions, or for any matter in any way connected with or arising out of the publication of the information contained. The commercial property and development land prices in this publication are purely illustrative. They are meant to offer an insight into typical, “ballpark” prices at the time of going to print, and should not be relied upon in any way. The property and land market is fluid and prices continually fluctuate.
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contents
hello
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facts
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vision
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belief
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opportunity
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goodbye?
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maps
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hello Most inward investment guides are big. And dull. This one isn’t. But when you look at this book, what do you see? Less? Or quality condensed? Lack of substance? Or mobility? Weirdness? Or individuality? We see quality condensed. We see mobility. We see individuality. If you see the same as us, that’s a good start. We might be right for each other. The next few pages will tell you what Wrexham stands for. And what it can offer your business. Through facts. And through the words and experiences of other businesses. Everyone says they’re great. Who can blame them? It’s a competitive world. We’re no different. But we’re not going to ply you with garbage. We want you to invest here. To build your business here. But we’re honest about what we are. If Wrexham isn’t for you, we respect that.
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people connect with people This is the digital age. If you prefer, you don’t need to turn another page. Scan the code below and get to know us on your mobile.
Better still, talk to a real, live human being. They still exist. It might be a novel concept in today’s world, but – sometimes – a good old-fashioned face-to-face conversation is kind of nice. t: 01978 667000 (overseas +44 1978 667000) e: business@wrexham.gov.uk
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facts We were going to start with a few words about Wrexham being a great place to do business. Truth is, you’ve probably heard those words a hundred times before. From a dozen towns and cities. So let’s talk basics. Let’s talk facts.
Where is Wrexham? North Wales. Bang on the border with England. In the UK. Are you big? The biggest town in North Wales. Around 135,000 people live in Wrexham County Borough (-; Tell us something interesting about yourself. We’ve got one of the highest concentrations of solar-panels per property in the UK. Maybe even Europe. Anything else?
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A World Heritage Site that UNESCO says is “of outstanding universal value to mankind.” And? Our university is helping to develop one of the world’s biggest telescopes. Friends overseas? Sure. Twinned with Markischer Kreis in Germany and Raciborz in Poland. Anyone else? Yep. We’ve linked with Kladno in the Czech Republic, Xiang Fan in China and Elbe Elster in Germany for various projects. Do businesses like you? They do. We’ve got more overseas investors than anywhere else in North Wales (-: Smiley faces are not cool. Oh. You can follow us for real on Twitter. We tweet as @wxmsayshello (and we only use smiley faces on very special occasions).
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facts location l
Liverpool and Manchester airports are just 45 minutes away by car.
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Liverpool and Mostyn seaports are less than an hour away.
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London Euston is just a two-and-a-half hour train ride.
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11 universities are less than an hour’s drive away. One of them – Glyndw ˆ r University – is bang in the middle of Wrexham.
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One third of the UK population is within two hours’ drive-time.
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The A483 bypass plugs straight into the M56, M53 and M6 motorways.
Translation? Wrexham is connected to the world. If you base yourself here, your business can link with suppliers, customers, people, skills and knowledge from across most of the UK and beyond.
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facts infrastructure l
There are 25 business parks and industrial estates across the county borough.
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Wrexham Industrial Estate is the biggest. It’s the biggest in Wales, one of the 10 biggest in the UK, and serviced by a new £35 million link road.
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More than 485,000 square foot of retail space has been created in the town since 2003. One of the highest growth rates in the UK.
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Commercial property and land in nearly every shape and size is available. Office? Warehouse? Shop? Brownfield site? All here.
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Prices are competitive. As a guide, office rental starts from £45 per square metre. Warehouse space from £25.
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Wrexham has decent 3G and broadband availability. Superfast broadband is expected in 2013.
Translation? Wrexham is built for business. There’s every chance we can offer you the right property, at the right price, with the right transport and technological infrastructure around it.
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facts support l
Wrexham Council offers free info on everything to do with starting a business here.
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Plus advisors ready to help both UK and overseas investors with pretty much anything. Planning consent, building permits, environmental legislation, site and building searches, liaison with local estate agents. The lot. For free.
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They also help businesses find the right land and premises.
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And can put investors in touch with key local and regional agencies, including Finance Wales and Welsh Government.
Translation? You’re not alone. When you’re in new surroundings, it’s good to have a friend. Wrexham will look after you.
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facts people l
Wrexham attracts a mobile workforce pooled from as far as Manchester, Liverpool, Cheshire and Shropshire.
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More than 7,000 people work on Wrexham Industrial Estate – many in advanced manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and technology.
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Glyndwˆr University has around 8,000 students and works closely with business on research, specialist projects and placements.
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There are 10 other universities within an hour’s drive, including Manchester and Liverpool. Brainpower for business.
Translation? The people you need are here. Set up in Wrexham, and you’ll attract employees and partners with the right skills, attitude and knowledge.
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vision
In business, it helps to know who you’re dealing with. Facts are great, but character matters too. No one wants to do business with a jerk. So here’s a little insight into our character. Wrexham has always played its part in pushing the world forward with new ideas and creative thinking. We can’t help ourselves. It’s in our blood. From the radical techniques used by Thomas Telford to build Pontcysyllte Aqueduct over 200 years ago, to groundbreaking work going on right here and now at Glyndwˆr University.
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An example? The university is helping to develop one of the world’s biggest telescopes – helping to unlock the secrets of the universe. You see, beneath its self-deprecating humour, Wrexham has always been kind of obsessed with finding new ways to do things. We’re not saying everyone here will be zipping around on hover boards by 2025. But don’t bet against some of your gadgets of tomorrow being dreamt-up in Wrexham. To quote the poet Arthur O’Shaughnessy, “…we are the dreamers of dreams.”
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Engraved portrait of Thomas Telford published on front cover of Atlas to the Life of Thomas Telford - Civil Engineer in 1838. Engraved by W. Raddon from a painting by S. Lane.
vision
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bright sparks There are people in all walks of life who are “visionaries”. They see things others don’t. Problems are possibilities. Change is opportunity. Wrexham has more than its fair share of bright sparks. Both individuals and organisations. Maybe one day, we can add you to the list.
thomas telford Built Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in 1805 using radical techniques that influenced engineers across the globe. A Steve Jobs of his time, Telford was – quite simply – “the man”. john wilkinson Patented new cannon-boring techniques in the mid-1700s that revolutionised warfare. Lord Nelson took them to sea on HMS Victory. The rest, as they say, is history. william low Civil engineer who lived in Wrexham and drew-up the first realistic plans for a channel tunnel in the 1860s. Brilliant engineer. Bad businessman. Nobody’s perfect. elihu yale Born in 1649. Gifted entrepreneur and educationist who grew up near Wrexham and made a generous donation to the Collegiate School of Connecticut, USA. They were pretty grateful. You can still see a replica of the steeple of St Giles Church in the grounds of what became known as Yale University. wrexham maelor hospital At the cutting edge of medical research and committed to developing “the healthcare of the future”. Ever-engaged in innovative patient trials, development of medical devices and treatments.
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vision glyndw ˆ r university Where do we start? Developing mirrors for the world’s biggest telescope in South America. Working with Chinese universities to push bio-engineering boundaries. The list goes on. One of Wrexham’s busiest innovators today. glyndwr.ac.uk moneypenny Great example of entrepreneurial vision. Founded in 2000, it was the first company in the UK to provide professional call-answering services. Received the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2008. Now employs over 280 staff and handles over 8 million calls a year. moneypenny.co.uk sharp manufacturing, llay Cited as one of the biggest and most advanced photovoltaic centres in the world. Capable of producing solar panels on a massive level. Wrexham is plugging the world into the energy of the future. sharpmanufacturing.co.uk
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cytec engineered materials Part of the global giant Cytec Industries Inc. Develops advanced materials for use in high performance aircraft, road vehicles and many other things. Even Formula One race cars. cytec.com/engineered-materials nu instruments Founded in 1995. Designs state-of-the-art scientific equipment used by boffins all over the world. Specialises in mass spectrometry. Complicated stuff. nu-ins.com
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vision hello future Quick aside. We like cool ideas. Cool ideas for business. Cool ideas that will impact on society, economics and consumer habits. Here are some cool ideas that we think will have a massive impact on businesses in the future. If you get a moment, ask Mr Google about them. Or Mr YouTube. nfc (near field communication) This technology already exists and is being used in various ways. But one use anticipated to go mainstream is “contactless transactions”. If you take payments over the counter, you should check it out. nfctimes.com touch-glass You probably use this every day. Every time you pick up your smart phone. But there’s a whole range of applications emerging. Check out this viral video by Corning. Viewed more than 21 million times, it lends an interesting insight into the future. youtu.be/6Cf7IL_eZ38
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vision social media Social media isn’t cutting edge in itself. It’s mainstream. Has been for years. But you can be cutting edge in how you use social media. It continues to influence consumer habits and society as a whole, and its development is seemingly exponential. A good place to stay in tune with innovative use of social technology is Mashable. mashable.com graphene Where do we start? Discovered by UK science boffins in 2004, graphene is the thinnest material ever developed and has amazing potential. It’ll be years before its fully exploited, but flexible touch-screens could be among the first products to utilise this new “wonder material”. Check out this BBC newsreel. youtu.be/sugmA-pll4k ted – ideas worth spreading TED is an idea about ideas. More precisely, it’s an idea about sharing ideas. It started in 1984 as a conference about technology, entertainment and design (hence TED) but has evolved into a platform for sharing innovative ideas from the world’s most innovative thinkers. About pretty much anything. Even business. Check out the TED website. ted.com
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vision hello world All work and no play makes us dull girls and boys. Don’t worry. If you need to relocate here with your business, your life will be anything but dull. Because Wrexham is a great place to live, learn, play and grow. Check out our hello world brochure. It tells you everything you need to know. And if you want a little strategic insight into where Wrexham is heading, take a look at our Economic Prosperity Strategy. You’ll find both on Issuu. issuu.com/wxmsayshello
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belief Belief is important. Nobody ever won anything without it. Not in sport, not in politics, not in business, not in love. It starts with self-belief. If you believe in yourself, others will believe too. That doesn’t just mean making a noise about how great you are. It means having the confidence to do things your own way. Asked what makes a champion, boxing legend Muhammad Ali once said: “…the ‘will’ must be stronger than the ‘skill’.” He could just as easily been talking about a business. The greatest enterprises of our time have talent. But they also have the will. The confidence. The belief. If you bring your business to Wrexham, Wrexham will believe in you. Just like these guys.
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belief moneypenny Somehow, you can hear a smile at the end of a phone. And it makes all the difference. Ask any client of Moneypenny. Moneypenny is a telephone-answering and outsourced reception market leader. And an inspiring example of entrepreneurial vision. It started as a small enterprise in Wrexham in 2000, and now employs over 280 people, answering more than 8 million calls a year for over 6,000 clients. It’s been named three times in The Times newspaper’s 100 Best Companies to Work For – with the highest accolade of three stars and rated as “extraordinary”. And now, with 24/7 capability thanks to the opening of Moneypenny New Zealand, Wrexham-based PAs are taking their expertise to the other side of the world! Ask the company for a little insight into its success, and it’ll cite the local labour pool as one of the reasons it’s driving forward at a staggering rate.
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Co-founder Rachel Clacher says: “We based ourselves in Wrexham and remain committed to the town as there is a fantastic resource of hardworking, enthusiastic and personable people on our doorstep. “Every day they do a great job representing our business and also the thousands of client businesses we work with across the UK.”
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belief nu instruments Nu Instruments is a pretty awesome company. Firstly, it makes really cool stuff. Its mass spectrometers are used by science people all over the world and are renowned for their precision and quality. Secondly, the company is a great example of a business that believes in itself.
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It began life in 1995 in Wrexham, developing its first product in collaboration with Oxford University. And it grew. And it grew. Nu Instruments now has customers all over the world and last year was chosen to accompany the UK Prime Minister on a trade mission to Japan. And it’s still based in Wrexham. Why? Well, we interviewed Steve Guilfoyle at Nu Instruments recently. He said this. “One of the main reasons we’ve chosen to base ourselves here in Wrexham is the quality of the people we can recruit from the area. “We’ve found that typically the people we recruit here are very dedicated, very loyal and very interested in pursuing their careers and making the company a success. “But there is a second reason. We’ve also found that a lot of suppliers to our industry are based fairly locally and we can build a good relationship with them.” Good people + good location = good business.
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belief brother 100 years old. 50 years in Europe. 28 years in Wrexham. Over time, Brother has made pretty much everything – from motorbikes to sewing machines to music sequencers. The company opened its Wrexham plant in 1985 in Ruabon. Among other things, it became well-known for producing typewriters. Over five million of them. Think of all the thoughts and ideas that found life as a result. Awesome. These days, the plant plays a key part in the company’s printer cartridge business. In a recent interview with hello world, director Craig McCubbin said: “We’ve been in Wrexham almost 30 years now. It’s a great location, it’s got great transport links to the UK and beyond, and we’ve got access to a great supplier base. “But for me personally, the most important factor is the high quality and great flexibility of the local staff here in Wrexham.
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“The world has changed a lot and businesses have changed dramatically over the past three decades. We’ve had to reinvent ourselves continuously to compete in this world market, and that’s only been possible thanks to the great, positive attitude of the workforce.” It’s all about the people. And it’s still based in Wrexham. Why? Well, we interviewed Steve Guilfoyle at Nu Instruments
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belief ucml Businesses are like trees. Feed them the right stuff, and they will grow. UCML provides consultancy services to developers looking for expert help with utilities infrastructure. Gas, electricity, water and all the other things that keep our homes and offices lit, warm and working. The company began life nine years ago. And it’s been fed with the right stuff, because it’s getting bigger. Managing director Arwel Lloyd provides a candid insight. “There were two of us. We had a three-year business plan. After that, the plan was to retire and spend a lot of time playing golf. “Now there are 19 of us. Things just grew.” So has being in Wrexham made a difference? “Wrexham is an ideal location. The transport infrastructure is very, very good.
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“We also had the help of a business advisor from the council when we started out, and he was a tremendous guy who really helped us.
“We’ve had good support from the council in other ways too. They’ve helped us access grants, advice and training. “We’ve also worked closely with Glyndw ˆ r University through an initiative called ‘knowledge transfer partnership’. “The scheme has given us the enthusiasm of students and the knowledge of university lecturers, which is tremendous.” We’ve got a feeling this tree will keep growing.
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belief nia They say that small is beautiful. It is. Wrexham is a top place for an independent business to grow. We love people who have the courage and vision to turn their dreams into reality. It takes guts. Nia is an independent fashion boutique that’s been trading in the town centre since 2008. We asked co-owner Sharon Crossett why she chose Wrexham. Great location, transport infrastructure and support from local government were the deal-clinchers. “It’s easy to get to and a fantastic place for an independent business to be, because we’re supported by the council and have the most wonderful, loyal customers.”
their words. not ours. You can hear more from businesses already based in Wrexham by checking out Film Two on our YouTube channel. youtube.com/wxmsayshello
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doing it There’s a lot of other businesses in Wrexham that are winning the race in a competitive world. Take a look. sharp manufacturing Sharp is one of the world’s truly elite corporations. The company established its Wrexham plant in Llay back in the 1980s. Now it’s plugging the world into the energy of the future by producing solar panels for a global market. jcb Another truly global brand. The construction plant manufacturer recently won a £40 million contract with the Brazilian government. The transmissions and axles will be built by around 350 people right here in Wrexham. kellogg’s When was the last time you had a bowl of Bran Flakes? Chances are, those tasty little flakes were made right here. The company that graces breakfast tables all over the world has been producing cereals at its Wrexham plant since the 1970s. cadbury They say that chocolate sharpens the mind. Something to do with “flavanols” boosting blood-flow to the brain. Well, chocolate giants Cadbury made a pretty brainy decision when they decided to build a plant in Chirk in the late 1960s. They’ve been making life taste good here ever since.
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doing it morrisons The supermarket chain opened a new store here in 2011. It looks great. And Wrexham Council provided advice and support all the way. Like we say, it’s good to have friends. magellan aerospace The Canadian-owned Magellan Aerospace Corporation makes wing-parts here, employing around 350 local people. The company hit the headlines last year when it secured a £370 million contract to supply components to plane-maker Airbus. ipsen biopharm Employs around 270 people at its pharmaceuticals site in Wrexham. Part of the global Ipsen group, the company has invested millions of pounds to create a hugely impressive advanced manufacturing facility. cytec engineered materials Part of the global giant Cytec Industries Inc. Develops advanced materials for use in high performance aircraft, road vehicles and many other things. porvair Produces specialist filtration equipment for use in aerospace, energy, bioscience, water and industrial applications. Clever stuff.
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Just a few success stories worth noting. There’s plenty more.
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opportunity There’s a saying. “You make your own luck.” Maybe. But sometimes we all need a little help in making our own luck.
commercial property All shapes. All sizes. Wrexham has commercial property to suit pretty much every type of business. The local authority alone has over 350 industrial units and offices. Add to that the various premises available from other commercial landlords, and you’ve potentially got a lot of choice. It’s also true to say that – as a general rule – property prices are competitive here. Finding the right space for your business is crucial. It’s where your business will live and grow. Our advice? Call one of Wrexham Council’s business advisors.
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t: 01978 667000 (overseas +44 1978 667000) e: business@wrexham.gov.uk
They can provide you with info about council-owned commercial property and put you in touch with other commercial landlords. Or check out Right Move. rightmove.co.uk In the meantime, here’s a little sample of the kind of thing you can get for your money. And don’t forget – property taxes called “business rates” are payable on all premises. So factor them in when weighing up the costs.
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oppor industrial and warehouse Rents vary widely, depending on location, condition, size of the property and so on. As a general guide, rents around Wrexham start at £25 per square metre for older industrial premises with around 10% office content. Snazzier, modern premises are usually more expensive, with costs in the region of £45 to £55 per square metre. There are 25 industrial estates and business parks in the county borough. The biggest is Wrexham Industrial Estate. Around 7,500 people work there. It’s massive, and offers a huge range of industrial and warehouse property.
office As a rough guide, offices tend to be available from around £45 per square metre. Again, it all depends on specification, location and so on. As well as business rates, it’s also common for tenants to pay a service charge if they share facilities like kitchens or toilets with other companies in the building. Settings range from business parks and industrial estates to high street offices in Wrexham town centre or surroundings towns and villages.
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oppor retail and leisure It’s no secret that high streets are going through a tough time across the UK. Consumer habits are changing. They always have. But the pace of evolution has become rapid in recent years. The drivers? Technology. Lifestyle. Economics. But for the right business, Wrexham town centre is a damned good place to be. We’re the shopping capital of North Wales, with a great mix of big name brands like Debenhams, M&S, Odeon, Next, Starbucks and River Island, along with loads of independent shops that add unique character. Premises range from big floorspace at park-and-shop style retail parks, to contemporary town centre units and little shops full of character. Rental costs vary a lot, but – generally speaking – prices are very competitive.
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development sites Sometimes, you’ve just got to build from scratch. You need facilities that suit your business perfectly. Or maybe you’re a developer and want to build premises to sell or rent. As a rough guide, the average price of land suitable for industrial development tends to be around £120,000 per acre. Sites with high profile road-frontages or prime office development land usually cost more. Here’s a little sample of key sites offering potential opportunities. But things change. Talk to us for the latest knowledge.
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t: 01978 667000 (overseas +44 1978 667000) e: business@wrexham.gov.uk
western gateway There’s a piece of land to the west of Wrexham town centre. There’s nothing remarkable about it. You drive past without a care. It’s just a piece of land. But one day that will change. Because the council is busy creating the conditions for a major development opportunity, as part of a new phase in the growth of Wrexham Technology Park. Economic leaders want to see the site transformed into a flagship, low-carbon business park close to Glyndw ˆr University and the NHS Maelor Hospital. A site capable of attracting high quality companies with an innovative mindset. The council is serious about its vision, recently investing £1.9 million into road infrastructure improvements to help ready the site for development. This is going to be big. You should find out more. t: 01978 292453 (overseas +44 1978 292453) e: sara.kettle@wrexham.gov.uk
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oppor former firestone site “The former Firestone site.” OK. It’s not the sexiest name. But think of it as a working title. This huge 110 acre brownfield site was once the home of the Firestone tyre factory. Very soon, it could be ripe for redevelopment. In part. Or in whole. The site is at the heart of Wrexham Industrial Estate and has huge development potential. Get the detail. t: 01978 292453 (overseas +44 1978 292453) e: sara.kettle@wrexham.gov.uk elm point Another development opportunity on Wrexham Industrial Estate. Ready to go, offering serviced plots between one and five acres. The site is suitable for manufacturing, distribution and office development. And get this. A new £35 million link road provides direct access to the A483 and onto the M55 and M53/56.
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goodb We hope not. We’re just getting to know each other. If you like what you read, your next move is simple. Get in touch with a Wrexham Council business advisor. They’ll bend over backwards to help you. Make no mistake. We want you to bring your business here. And we’ll do everything we can to look after you. t: 01978 667000 (overseas +44 1978 667000) e: business@wrexham.gov.uk And if you’re not quite sure Wrexham is the right fit, why not stay in touch anyway? Get to know Wrexham a little better. You can check out our website (which is awesome), follow our blog (which is full of interesting stuff about technology and the future), or keep tabs on our YouTube channel and other social media accounts. If you don’t bring your business here, it doesn’t matter. Let’s share some knowledge and creativity. That’s what life (and business) is all about. ☺ hello world
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maps By road, rail, air and sea: Wrexham is well connected. So make your move. M57 M56
3
Mostyn
Ellesmere Port
55
Chester Crewe
A5
Porthmadog
A483
Mold Betws-y-coed
Wrexham
M6
A487
A
A5
A470
Bangor Caernarfon
Manchester
60
Prestatyn A55
A55
M
Liverpool M63 M5
Llandudno
Holyhead
8 M5
M6
Irish Sea
Birmingham A45
8
2
9 A4
A4 87
Telford Wolverhampton
6 M
Newtown
Contains Ordnance Survey data Š Crown copyright and database right 2013 Produced by www.themappingcompany.co.uk
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M54
Welshpool A4
70
Aberystwyth
Shrewsbury
M4
WA L E S
M5
Machynlleth
Stafford
A5
A470
Dolgellau
A4 94
E N G LA N D Bala
Motorway Railway Ferry/docks Airport Inverness Aberdeen Perth Glasgow
EDINBURGH Newcastle upon Tyne
BELFAST
UNITED KINGDOM Darlington
Douglas
Heysham Dublin/ Dun Laoghaire
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Leeds
Liverpool Manchester Mostyn
Holyhead
Derby
Wrexham Shrewsbury
Birmingham
Rosslare Cork
Hull
Sheffield
Norwich
Cambridge
Harwich
Fishguard Pembroke Swansea
LONDON
CARDIFF Bristol
Exeter Plymouth
Bournemouth
Dover
Folkestone
Southampton
Calais Portsmouth Newhaven
Dieppe Cherbourg Contains Ordnance Survey data Š Crown copyright and database right 2013 Produced by www.themappingcompany.co.uk
Le Havre
FRANCE
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our business is to
create hello world