MULTI-million pound developments which will create hundreds of jobs have made Wyre Forest a prime area for investment, according to regeneration experts.

The North Worcestershire Economic Development and Regeneration (NWEDR) service say the area is seeing an unprecedented level of public and private sector investment, with more projects in the pipeline.

Research by the service shows almost £350million is being ploughed into North Worcestershire, including significant schemes in Wyre Forest.

There include a £23million investment by Amtek International into a new manufacturing plant in Kidderminster which will eventually create 500 jobs, a new £12million leisure centre in the town and plans for an £80million water park, hotel and conference centre at West Midlands Safari Park, near Bewdley.

NWEDR, which provides economic development and regeneration services for Wyre Forest, Redditch and Bromsgrove councils, will highlight such successes at an Invest In North Worcestershire event to be held next month.

Cllr John Campion, Cabinet Member for planning and regeneration on Wyre Forest District Council, said: “There are many compelling reasons to invest in North Worcestershire, but fundamentally it’s because this is the perfect environment in which to do business.

“This area is perfectly positioned at the beating heart of UK Plc, with an economy that has strong links within Worcestershire itself, to the Black Country and the Birmingham conurbation.

“The North Worcestershire economy has a strong manufacturing base, supporting more than 18,000 jobs. The local authorities, through the NWEDR, provide support to businesses, enabling them to invest and grow, and we are proud to be able to use this event to highlight why the area is a leading location for businesses in each of its primary growth areas.”

Key sectors in the area include automotive, construction, retail, professional services, food, scientific and technical.

The Invest In Worcestershire event will be held at Avoncroft Museum, Bromsgrove, on Thursday March 19.

It will feature a specially filmed video by Lord Digby Jones and a keynote speech from Steve Hollis, deputy chair of the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) who will profile why North Worcestershire is ripe for investment as well as a great place for business.

The event will also be used to formally launch the new NWEDR website – highlighting services available to business, promoting the area to potential inward investors and SMEs looking to grow, as well as providing a single point of contact to entrepreneurs wishing to start up their own business.

It also contains an interactive development prospectus which showcases major commercial development sites and regeneration projects in North Worcestershire.

To register to attend the event, which is free and on a first come, first served basis,  email penny-t@clarke-associates.co.uk or call 01564 826653 or register here.