Business in North East Cambridgeshire

Fenland's location lends itself to growth and development, both in terms of housing and industry, taking advantage of an attractive rural lifestyle and the qualities of the local workforce.  To talk of fenland evokes images of our open landscapes and broad skies, but Fenland District has more to offer business than spectacular scenery.  The demand for development land throughout the south-east of England continues to be high.

With no problems from hills and mountains, there is little unused, or unusable, land in the district and the typical rural landscape is a patchwork of rectangular arable fields and long drainage capabilities.  As agriculture has become increasingly productive, the pressures to retain lower quality arable land under cultivation have diminished.  The fenland economy has for years been built upon farming and food related industry.  The food industry is now well established, and related processing, storage, packaging and distribution has become more sophisticated and diverse.

As stronger links with the Cambridge and its University becomes more established, a wider range of job opportunities is anticipated.  As growth of the economy from Cambridge continues the pressure for outsourcing of industry, housing and jobs will move northwards.  Recent investment by the public and private sector has seen considerable improvements made in conservation areas and town centres which has helped to retain the market town's local distinctiveness.

Opportunities for growth in terms of retailing and industrial development are provided for with a range of units and serviced plots readily available in Fenland's attractive market towns.

The predominantly rural economy of the area has long included a strong industrial tradition.  Some industries, such as food processing, packaging and transport, are directly related to the agricultural production of the area.  Others - brick making, printing and engineering, for example - have established their skill base and infrastructure over many years.  Many Fenland residents already travel outside the area to work and offer the potential of a ready-trained workforce to incoming employers.  Businesses moving to Fenland are generally delighted with the calibre and loyalty of their local recruits.  Moreover, the schools and colleges serving Fenland have continued to respond to the requirements of modern business by offering up-to-the-minute education and training across a wide range of disciplines.  The area's economic development strategy seeks to enhance the many natural benefits of Fenland by providing a supportive environment for industrialists and encouraging increased investment and employment opportunities.

Recent major investment in local roads has dramatically improved accessibility throughout Fenland District.  Links with the national trunk road network are also steadily improving.  Announcements that the A1 is to be upgraded to motorway standard and part of the A47 is scheduled for 'dualing' are most welcome. 

March is still very much a 'railway town'.  The freight marshaling yards need only a fraction of their land for rail operations and much of the site is destined for rail-oriented industrial commercial development.  The main cross country route from Harwich to the North West passes through Manea, March and Whittlesey and a busy link service provides connections to the main north south Intercity lines.  Wisbech has a now dormant freight link through March.

The journey to Heathrow and Gatwick airports via the M1/A1, M11 and the M25 is normally quick.  Stansted and Luton are closer and offer a wide range of scheduled flights to many destinations. Stansted is easy to reach from the M11 and via a new rail shuttle link from March.  Regional Airports at Norwich, East Midlands and Birmingham are also convenient.  However, Cambridge and Peterborough are much closer.  Cambridge offers scheduled services to Amsterdam and many other air-taxi and chartered flights.  Peterborough Business Airport caters particularly for business aircraft.

The busy ports of Ipswich, Harwich and Felixstowe are quickly reached via the A14 dual carriageway trunk road.  Most of the east coast ports are easily accessible to Fenland Businesses.  Wisbech port is largely concerned with 'short sea' trade with Northern Europe, the main commodities include timber, steel, fertilizer and animal feed.

The Port of Wisbech is situated nine miles inland from the Wash on the country's East Coast and boasts a long and impressive history as a trading port dating back to Roman times.  In the 18th Century Wisbech was the second largest corn shipping port in the country.  During this period it enjoyed a rich trade in coal, salt and fish, together with many other kinds of cargo.  Wisbech occupies a unique position as a link between the tidal Wash and the upper reaches of the non-tidal River Nene. The Port is a valuable commercial facility for the area currently handling approximately 65,000 tonnes of cargo per year.  This rising trend is expected to continue with new timber industries now investing in the port promising to bring additional ships and tonnage through the Port.

Fenland District Council is responsible for the management of the Port and has spent considerable amounts on refurbishing the Quay.  The port has land available for industrial development and Wisbech has the benefit of DTI grant aid to help manufacturing industry create or protect jobs.

The town of Wisbech and the surrounding area have historically deep and strong connections with our European neighbours.  The invaders (Roman, Danes, Anglo-Saxons and Normans) were followed by Huguenot refugees who established themselves widely in the area , particularly at Guyhirn, Murrow, Parson Drove and Thorney and stamped their culture upon the Fens.  Dutch engineers designed and constructed some of the first major drainage schemes. Many Dutch men have settled in the area and contributed enormously to horticultural and agricultural knowledge and productivity.  Many Americans know the area from their war-time visits and continuing presence in Suffolk.  Wisbech is twinned with Arles sur Rhone in Provence and annual exchanges take place.  Fenland District Council is similarly twinned with Stadt Nettetal in Germany and both civic and social exchanges are undertaken to build a international relationship.

The Port of Wisbech, which handles vessels of up to 1500 tonnes is complemented by activities at Sutton Bridge Port which can accommodate ships of twice this size.  Although 14 miles inland, Wisbech enjoys regular and varied trade with Europe, with Scandinavian timber cargoes a regular feature.  Fertilizer, grain and animal feed are transshipped from Dutch ports and about 100 ships a year visit the port carrying some 100,000 tonnes overall.  The ships re-victual in the Port and crews spend their free time in the area and their money in local shops and pubs.  The Port is operated by Fenland District Council who controls navigation.  Ships bound for the River Nene take on a licensed port pilot at the Bar Flat Bouy and make passage along the Wisbech Channel past the Westmark Knock light, the Fenland beacon, Big Tom, the West End light and the Marsh Winker.

The larger European market, which the Fenland farmer has to work within, often means that decisions in Brussels as well as exchange rate divergences are reflected in reduced farm incomes - despite better yields.  The need for farm diversification is obviously increasing - and more farmers are looking into ways of securing added value to make a living.  As well as looking at unusual crops, better promotion and marketing of local food -stuffs is proving of value.