Location:
Newport is located between the major conurbations of Bristol and Cardiff on the prosperous M4 motorway corridor, which extends west from London to South Wales. It has a population of 140,000 and 73,000 work in the city. Newport is a port and has a long history of manufacturing.

Transportation Services:
Newport is served by excellent road, rail, sea and air services making it an ideal strategic business location. London is 2 and ½ hours drive to the east along the M4 motorway, which has six junctions serving the city. The M4/M5 interchange is 25 miles to the east of Newport providing the principal regional route to the Midlands and South West. The city is on the main rail line between London and South Wales. Trains depart every 30 minutes to London, the journey taking 110 minutes. A nearby road/rail terminal provides intermodal freight services. London's Heathrow Airport is 2 hours drive to the east of Newport along the M4. Nearby regional airports at Cardiff and Bristol have services to major UK and European cities, and offer transatlantic services. The city has a deepwater port taking ships of 35,000 tonnes.

In an Assisted Area:
In an Assisted Area: Yes, Tier 2.

Other Kinds of Financial Assistance on Offer:
The Welsh Assembly Government offers a range of assistance including grants for commercial property development, for training and for business expansion for SME's. Newport Council's Business Services Team offers a range of grants up to £5,000 for small business expansion.

Special Sites and Locations:
Newport has its own Urban Regeneration Company, Newport Unlimited, which has substantial funds available to assist the bringing forward of strategic commercial redevelopment opportunities across the city.

Available Sites Include:
The city can offer high quality sites for industrial and distribution uses, with plots ranging from 0.5 to 50 acres.

Major Business Parks: Business parks providing 40 acres of serviced plots for office developments and buildings for sale or to let are available at junction 28 of the M4 - Celtic Springs, Cleppa 4, Cleppa Park and Imperial Park and at junction 24 - Langstone Business Park.

Celtic Springs Business Park

Office Developments Include:
CS1000, a 54,000 sq ft prestigious office development at Celtic Springs Business Park near to junction 28 of the M4, now let to HM Prison Service for a National Shared Service Centre. CS3000, a new 35,000 sq ft speculative office development will be available from the beginning of 2008. A 150,000 sq ft campus for EADS Defence and Security Systems is being developed at the adjoining Cleppa 4 Business Park. Small prestigious office developments are available elsewhere at Celtic Springs Business Park, Imperial Park and Langstone Business Park, which has a serviced business centre and new units currently available that range from 2,000 to 30,000 sq ft.
 

Major Industries in the Area:
Metal manufacturing, electronics, distribution, financial and business services, Government offices, hotels and conference centres.

Major Companies in the Area:
Corus, EADS, Panasonic Communications, International Rectifier, Aviza Technology, STS, Solutia, Novelis, Bisley Office Equipment, Quinn Radiators, Avana Bakeries, The Patent Office, Office for National Statistics, HM Prison Service, Lloyds TSB, Celtic Manor Resort, HSBC General Insurance.

International Rectifier

Advice and Assistance:
The experienced inward investment team provides free and confidential advice and support before, during and after a company's decision to establish their operations in Newport. Information includes availability of sites and properties, labour, training and assistance finding new housing. This is achieved through a "one stop" co-ordinated approach.

Contact:
John Dainton, Inward Investment & Research Manager, Newport City Council, Civic Centre, Newport, South Wales NP20 4UR. Telephone: +44-(0)1633-232522. Fax: +44-(0)1633-232334. E-mail: inward.investment@newport.gov.uk Web: www.newport.gov.uk

Summary:
Newport is located on the prosperous M4 corridor, with all its locational advantages but without the problems of an overheated labour market, high commercial land and property costs and high housing costs that are often encountered further east along the M4. It has the added bonus of being the first location west of London along the M4 to benefit from Tier 2 Assisted Area status. The city has a strong manufacturing history that now includes leading edge electronics firms. Service sector businesses have also been attracted to the city through a combination of highly accessible top quality business parks, workforce availability and a quality of life for key workers that is second to none. The city is surrounded by attractive countryside. There are plenty of recreational and sporting facilities including 27 golf courses within 25 miles. Note the Celtic Manor Resort, situated on the edge of the city, is to host the 2010 Ryder Cup.