More to Silverstone than the Grand Prix!
With all the excitement that took place at this weekend’s British Grand Prix at Silverstone it could be easy to forget there is far more going on at Silverstone than just Formula 1.
Silverstone Enterprise Zone, next to the Silverstone Grand Prix Circuit and at the centre of the Silverstone Technology Cluster, is a global destination for innovation, business development, and engineering. It is one of three designated Enterprise Zones in the county that make up the Buckinghamshire Enterprise Zone (Bucks EZ) – a network of specialist ‘hubs’ of high-tech expertise. The Enterprise Zone, managed by the Buckinghamshire Growth Board, exists to enable further investment in innovation and on-site infrastructure in Buckinghamshire to promote economic growth in the county.
Silverstone Enterprise Zone is attracting businesses of the calibre the Multi-world Champion Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team, Andretti Global, David Brown Automotive, Lunaz and the Digital Manufacturing Centre. Enterprise Zone (EZ) business rates are retained locally until 2041, so they can be invested into the success of each EZ and the wider Buckinghamshire economy.
In addition, Buckinghamshire Enterprise Zone investment has supported the creation of the Silverstone Sports Engineering Hub (SSEH), an Innovation Centre providing businesses access to the UK’s premier aerodynamics facility for racing cycles (including current Tour de France teams) and sports equipment, which includes two wind tunnels, a sports fabrics R&D centre and the new globally unique swimming flume.
Martin Tett is Buckinghamshire Council’s Leader and Chair of Buckinghamshire’s Growth Board. He said:
“The Silverstone Enterprise Zone, as part of the wider Buckinghamshire Enterprise Zone, is a major driver for growth in our county. It exists to help motorsport, advanced engineering, and wider technology businesses through business support, skills, funding and promotion, while working in partnership with all involved in the success of this exciting cluster.
Local businesses can benefit from being part of an expanding specialised business cluster, which combines world-class expertise and knowledge, develops indigenous industrial/research strengths, and attracts beneficial international investment and expertise.
It all helps to grow our local economy and puts Buckinghamshire on the map in terms of being a destination that attracts business and investment, supporting job creation and positively impacting our residents and communities as a result”
Rob Lewis, SSEH Director, said: “Tapping into the world class high-tech skills pool around Silverstone enables us to create a unique innovation incubator for companies in sports engineering and services which we predict will have global appeal.”