Bristol’s Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone is shaping up to give the city a unique opportunity to position itself as one of the UK’s most dynamic centres for creative, hi-tech and sustainable businesses, the latest event to showcase its progress was told.
The 70-hectare (173-acre) zone also demonstrates that Bristol is open for business in a way that was not possible before while creating a 21st century gateway to the city.
Nearly 300 business leaders, potential developers and community group representatives gathered this morning to hear the latest update on the 25-year project to regenerate a huge area around Temple Meads station, creating 17,000 jobs and attracting £5bn of private sector investment by 2030.
They were shown new images of how the zone will be developed over the next quarter of a century as part of a preview of a ‘spatial framework’, including the long-hoped-for but much-delayed 12,000-seat arena, which is edging closer to becoming a reality.
Another key element of the success of the enterprise zone will be the redevelopment of Temple Meads station into a 21st century transport hub.
Paul Stanford of station owner Network Rail said passenger numbers at Temple Meads, which now stand at 9m a year, were set to increase by a further 44% over the next decade.
The Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone is the only one of the 11 set up last year by the Government to be on a city centre site.
The spatial framework unveiled today was developed by Bristol City Council’s City Design Group and includes what the council is calling simplified planning measures to help develop the zone.
The framework looks at how the zone can be brought to life and connect to the surrounding parts of the city with a blend of office buildings, residential areas, the new arena, a redeveloped railway station and interchange at Bristol Temple Meads, and new and improved road infrastructure.
The city council is in the final stages of seeking funding of £20.85m from the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership’s (LEP) Revolving Infrastructure Fund for a comprehensive infrastructure package for the zone.
This package includes 17 infrastructure projects in and around the zone, including junction improvements, vehicle access links, bridges, walkways, public spaces and the remodelling of Temple Circus roundabout to improve access and traffic flow.
Opening today’s event, which he described as the next step in the evolution of the zone, LEP chair Colin Skellett said it had already attracted 11 businesses – two of them from outside the UK and five from outside the area – which have together brought in 306 jobs.
“It may be a small number but it’s a real start,” he said.
“Our ambition is to make Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone a superbly connected entry to Bristol and a hub for creative, high technology and low carbon companies, creating a catalyst for economic development alongside the five Enterprise Areas that will benefit the whole of the West of England.”
He said the zone would supply the key ingredients for economic growth – spaces for jobs to be created, high-quality skills, infrastructure and transport links.
“The last thing is to go out and sell this project to the world,” he said.
A major marketing campaign for the zone is due to start soon.
Today’s event also heard from Bristol City Council leader Simon Cook, who said: “This is a unique opportunity to create a new 21st century quarter in the heart of Bristol.
“It will create one of the most dynamic centres for the creative industries in the country. It shows Bristol is open for business in a way that it has never been before."
David Warburton, Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) head of area, said: “We’ve made considerable progress over the last year to help prepare the enterprise zone for a transformation into a destination of choice for creative organisations.
“Our work to transform the former vacant land at Plot 3 into a live events and performance space for Creative Common has attracted more than 11,000 visitors to the Zone in recent months while the long-term future of our sites is to be determined. We are committed to delivering partners’ vision for an exciting new creative hub for Bristol within the Enterprise zone, and I am looking forward to sharing details of the progress we have made at the event.”
Pictured: Artist's impression of Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone with arena site ringed
