£25m extra for Enterprise Zone

“Tax payers should not have to pay for it.”

“I'm surprised the Post hasn't reported on the fact that work has started on the arena in the former Bath Road loco shed part of the Enterprise Zone. In fact, it's nearly finished.

The half dozen or so small tents erected on the site are certainly a clever way of bringing an arena to the city on the cheap. £25 of the extra £25 million should prove ample for a slush fund to attract the top small tent artistes to the city.

Well done to all concerned, but why no publicity?

The great thing is we will now have two tented arenas in the zone. An even bigger one has been erected at Temple Quay.

And to think that some people continually condemn the council: shame on those doubters.”

“I have not seen the full details of this particular chunk of money but the growth fund is not restricted to a tight area and certainly not restricted to offices.
I was yesterday involved in a meeting where a sizeable chunk of the growth fund was being used to attract matched European money into a business development in one of Bristol's most challenged areas.
In that paricular case significant jobs in an area that needs them more than most in Bristol.”

“While I understand the thought process of "why build more offices when there is already so much empty?"; there is a converse theory.

At present we have a relatively limited amount of empty space that landlords are demanding a high rate for in the hope of landing a blue chip client. This premium rate though is likely to be putting off many potential clients. Therefore, saturating the market with further space is likely to drive down rates generally as competition within the local market increases, thus making Bristol a more attractive proposition (financially) to those considering taking office space within it. Maybe then, space will start to fill up again.

Just a theory...”

“If £1bn will create 240 000 jobs, then why not spend £8bn and create 2 million jobs? Is it because it won't do anything of the sort?”

“I can't believe you guys are moaning about goverment money being invested in the region rather than London.

Here we have a prime area of land next to Temple Meads ideal for business that will hopefully bring new employemnt into the region and possibly even an arena.

Obviously in the middle of the buggest economic downturn since the 1930's there is spare office capacity in the city but this will not always be the case.

There are plenty of other places in and around Bristol that can be used to build housing.”

“Vague promises, the same cash announced two or three times, job figures plucked out of the air.

Meanwhile, back in reality absolutely nothing happens...”

“I'm all for dole outs of public cash for investment, but this really makes no sense.

Bristol has massess of space for new employers. There is 2 million sq ft of empty office and shop space in the centre and huge expanses of empty industrial and commerical space across the city.

The problem is that the rents are still too high and landlords are holding this property empty to inflate rents elsewhere. If local councillors took steps to pierce this rent bubble and lower rents, then lots more people could open businesses. It doesn't need state funds to subsidise people.”