Warrington says ‘we can compete with Liverpool and Manchester’ as trio of tech firms move in
Cube32 Studios, DAT Draughting Services and JSA Design have all moved into The Cube taking the number of tech and engineering occupiers at the 50,000 sq ft space to 16. Tony McDonough reports
Warrington can compete with Liverpool and Manchester to attract growing technology businesses, the head of the town’s economic development agency claims.
Steve Park, chief executive of Warrington & Co – the council’s public-private sector regeneration arm – says the areas rail and road links make the town a hugely attractive location for ambitious entrepreneurs.
He was speaking as The Base, a 50,000 sq ft grade A business hub in Dallam Lane managed by Langtree, announced a trio of new lettings. Cube32 Studios, DAT Draughting Services and JSA Design, take the number of tech and engineering occupiers at the space to 16.
Mr Park said: “We don’t have a Northern Quarter or a Baltic Triangle in Warrington, but we’re growing a cluster of hi-tech companies here because they see the locational advantages.
“They can tap into two established labour pools yet access vital business support in somewhere like The Base. There’s an exciting tech cluster developing here that is helping future-proof our economy.”
More than 130 staff now work in the business complex which is managed by Langtree on behalf of Warrington & Co.
At a recent presentation at The Base by Siemens’ chief technology officer, Alan Norbury, the audience heard that technology-led manufacturing companies could expect to see a 30% boost to productivity as the ‘fourth industrial revolution’ took hold.
He predicted a significant boost for the North West, with its strong cohort of advanced manufacturers.
Chris Bain, managing director of Cube32, said: “Attracting and retaining talent is key to our whole business plan and being in Warrington makes that much easier. Draw a map showing a 30-minute commute and you’re looking at a workforce of more than 3m people.”