Tameside's new £7.1M Economic Development Zone (EDZ) was launched last week (3rd  November) as the area celebrates the highest level of enquiries ever from inward investors, property developers and businesses looking to relocate both from within Greater Manchester and from outside.

As Councillor Kieran Quinn, Tameside's executive member for economic regeneration explained

"Tameside is the next big success story for Greater Manchester, following the momentum of last year's Commonwealth Games which put East Manchester firmly on the world map.

"So much is happening across the whole of Tameside, but the EDZ, which is a European funded initiative designed to support the growth of inward and indigenous investment, will highlight the specific areas of Denton West, Audenshaw, Droylsden and Ashton St Peters.

"In all these areas, we have exciting opportunities for the future. In Droylsden town centre, we are now seeking a development partner to work with us to develop a Canalside Quarter in this prime and very visible location.  We are looking for schemes from the market, which have flair and quality and intend to begin clearance work at the site in summer next year.  This five-acre site is a major opportunity and includes the construction of a marina with luxury residential and commercial uses, such as offices and a hotel/restaurant.

"In Ashton, we are working closely with AMEC Developments and ASK on Ashton Moss and St Petersfield (formerly Henry Square) as well as with Ashton Renewal.  In Denton, REEB Estates' Crown Point North has just secured a British Home Stores unit of 40,000 sq ft and together with a new Morrisons' store close by, it will transform the town in retail terms.  Nearby, the Langtree Group Is considering its plans for the former Oldham Batteries site which spans xxx acres and will be revitalised in the not too distant future. So, in all the EDZ areas, top flight developers and occupiers are investing strongly.

"Together with the strategic advantages we now enjoy through the M60 link and the imminent arrival of Phase 3 of Metrolink, which will join Ashton with Manchester, the new Zone will provide major opportunities for investment and development to create more jobs and benefit the local economy.

"As a member of MIDAS (Manchester Investment and Development Agency Service) and the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities (AGMA), we are working together with our counterparts in Greater Manchester and the North West Development Agency to achieve a mutual vision which will transform our conurbation into a truly world-class centre for business and one that contributes strongly to a competitive and successful regional and national economy.

"This EDZ is a microcosm of that vision - a place of enterprise and drive with a thriving and networked business community made up of entrepreneurs and companies that have the will to succeed.  I am delighted that Tameside's new Chief Executive, Janet Orchard, is leading the AGMA group in investment and marketing and that Tameside will thus be in the forefront of 'raising Greater Manchester's game' on a national and international stage.   This will make the whole conurbation a stronger prospect for investment and jobs in the global economy."

Internationally renowned architects Patel Taylor have been
appointed to look at ways of linking up the different business
developments in Ashton.

They will be working on the best way of making it easier for
visitors and shoppers to the town to get from, say, the Arcades to Henry Square or from the Ladysmith shopping centre to Ashton Moss.

Castol UK's Hyde plant has gone green to save the company cash.

The firm was looking at ways to recycle its waste to minimise the costs of sending it to landfill and found that the council could help them after visiting the council website.

They found the link to the Tameside Business Environment Association which is currently compiling a local recycling directory to give the borough's companies quick access to local
recyclers.

In the last six years Tameside has attracted investment leading to the creation of 3,838 new jobs and has helped 252 local businesses relocate safeguarding 5,139 jobs.