Freeport staging focus groups to ‘drive business’
BUSINESSES are invited to attend a series of focus groups to find out what sort of support they require to drive growth. Solent Freeport is staging five sector focus groups this month, with businesses across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight invited to take part. The two-hour facilitated sessions will be held at the Hilton Utilita Bowl in Southampton, looking at skills, international trade, innovation, decarbonisation, and business growth.
Solent Freeport
Each session will focus on a key sector in the Solent region - space, maritime, defence, life sciences and clean energy.
As reported[1], the freeport, which includes areas in Marchwood and Fawley as well as Southampton, was officially designated at the end of 2022. The status was hailed as a once-in-a-generation opportunity, bringing tax relief, simplified customs procedures and streamlined planning processes. Brian Johnson, chair of Solent Freeport, said: "As an organisation dedicated to driving growth and prosperity across the region, it is imperative that we know what tailored support would be most beneficial to our businesses.
"These sessions will help us deliver that support where it is needed most and in the form that is the most beneficial to accelerate innovation and growth and encourage investment."
He added: "This could well be in the form of grants, so we need to know what level of grant schemes would be desired and what types of activity would that funding most benefit. "It may be that businesses are interesting in starting or expanding existing exporting journeys and need support to execute their plans. Our specialists have vast experience in the sector and can help open pathways towards international partnerships."
The sessions take place on: oTuesday 11th November, 10am to 12pm (Life sciences) oTuesday 11th November, 1pm to 3pm (Defence)
oWednesday 12th November, 10am to12pm (Clean energy)
oTuesday 18th November, 10am to 12pm (Space)
oTuesday 18th November, 1pm to 3pm (Maritime)