EASTLEIGH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
PROMOTING GROWTH AND JOBS
2013 - 2015
The Context
The Issues
The Priorities
125,200 population –
expected to grow by 7% over
the next decade
Attract and retain businesses in
Eastleigh that provide high value
jobs
Promoting Eastleigh as a prime location
for business growth and investment
Stimulating enterprise, innovation and
supporting new and small businesses
4,900 businesses – numbers
declining
The Plan
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GVA £2.7 billion
GVA per head £22,100
1.4% JSA claimants
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79.2% economically active
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8% self-employed
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5,440 people on key out of
work benefits
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Employment
Skill Levels
Level 4, 33.5%
Level 3 only - 22.6%
Level 2 only – 20.4%
Level 1 only – 11.4%
None – 5.5%
Wage Levels – lower than
regional average
Residents - £535 a week
Workers - £482 a week
Key Attributes
 Connectivity and location
 Quality of life
 Diverse business base
Key challenges
 Low paid jobs
 Opportunities for growth
and investment
Workforce/residents with the right
skills
Sufficient range of commercial
property at the right prices
Developing a skilled workforce and
strengthening the local labour market
Identifying and developing niche
business sectors (ie low carbon
economy, creative sector, high tech)
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Ensuring a supply of high quality,
flexible well priced commercial property
with key infrastructure in place
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Ensuring town and district centre
viability and growth
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Broadband and road infrastructure
Image of Eastleigh (as a business,
retail and visitor destination)
Working with sub-regional partners
to deliver a strong and diverse
economy
Business playing its role as part of
the local community
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Council services which listen and
respond to the needs of business
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Deliver Inward investment marketing service and plan in partnership with Solent LEP
Branding and marketing of the town centre and Ageas Bowl
Communications and business engagement activities
Develop Southern Entrepreneurs members and training offer
Research feasibility of new flexible workspaces and creative Eastleigh facilities and
promotion
Work more closely with local universities, Wessex House and other agencies supporting
small businesses
Focus support on start up and emerging businesses
Development and delivery of Employment and Skills Plans with local developers
Continue to develop services at the Meadows Centre, Velmore and Pilands Wood
Seek new funding opportunities for UK Online, Work Club and more specialist skills
provision
Extend range and number of Southern Entrepreneurs courses, to encourage more
innovative companies
Work with the Solent LEP to represent Eastleigh on City Deal, EU investment Plan and
Skills Strategy
Work with JCP on the Skills Development Zone and introduction of welfare reform
changes
Develop business awareness of the Green Deal and work with providers to increase
capacity in the sector
Support development of a Community Bank and the Green Growth Programme
Manage the Sorting Office and Re-Create projects
Develop and deliver a Technology Hub
Work with businesses to tackle their transport and parking issues and encourage
sustainable transport policies.
Pro-actively promote Inward investment service and enquiries
Develop new facilities to meet business demand
Participate in the Hants Broadband programme
Work with the PUSH/Solent LEP Inward Investment Board to promote south Hants
Develop an Eastleigh Business Improvement District
Market and update Eastleigh town centre website regularly, making good use of social
media
Continue to support and strengthen Eastleigh Town Centre Partnership and other
business networks
Organise events to attract additional custom into the town centre
Deliver the Eastleigh town centre marketing plan
Develop an empty shops strategy and pilot some pop up shops
Seek funding for shop front and other town centre improvements
Regular e-newsletters seeking feedback and regular networking and business events to
listen to business issues
Liaise with other departments with in the council to ensure they are responsive to
business needs
Develop a stronger and more coherent approach to local procurement