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Surge in interest underlines South West’s global standing

By Matt Tudge, Nuclear South West

I’m delighted to say that the vibrant South West is attracting more and more potential investors from across the nuclear industry.

There has been a surge of enquiries from companies overseas who are interested in establishing themselves in our region or expanding their existing presence.

That wave of interest is something that underlines the South West’s growing global significance on the world nuclear map.

Over the last couple of months, we’ve been dealing with a sharp rise in enquiries from firms outside the UK who have been in touch with Nuclear South West because they’re looking to set up camp here.

It would be imprudent to go into too much detail but suffice to say that June and July have been four times as busy as it was the first quarter of the year.

That jump might have something to do with pent-up demand due to Covid and it may also be down to the way things are settling down in the post-Brexit world.

But whatever the explanation, lots of people have been contacting us saying they need support in securing premises, ranging from warehouses and office space, mainly in and around Bridgwater and Bristol.

With lockdown ending, it seems Covid-19 has highlighted that if something as big as a pandemic strikes then even with the best will in the world it can be tough to fulfil contractual obligations.

The live supply chain for new nuclear around HPC and EPR Design Centre’s concentration of advanced engineering expertise at Aztec West are proving to be huge pulls.

So, it makes sense to have a significant local presence here in the South West to be near Hinkley Point C in Somerset as it enters its MEH phase but also to be close to EDF’s EPR Design Centre in Bristol.

And there also appears to be a growing desire to take advantage of the South West’s cluster of brilliant assets like the Somerset Energy Innovation Centre and our universities and colleges.

Plus, proximity to the Hinkley Point Supply Chain team strengthens the case to solidify South West connections.

We think it’s fair to say that if you want to work in nuclear in Europe, then you should come to the UK and if you come to the UK then you should head to the South West because this is where the nuclear renaissance is happening.

Anyone wanting to invest here in the South West, should contact us and we will do our best to help. I can be contacted via email matt.tudge@businesswest.co.uk or via +44 (0)7423 704749.