LLogistics warehouse in Bristol could benefit from Chinese investment
Bristol could be in line for major investment from China after four of the city’s business leaders joined the UK’s biggest trade delegation to the country, which could give a real boost to Central Park Bristol, the logistics warehouse available to let in the local area.
Bonnie Dean, chief executive of Bristol and Bath Science Park, Nigel Toon from semiconductor business Xmos, Marine Current Turbines’ business-development director David Ainsworth, and Airbus executive vice president Tom Williams joined the visit led by Prime Minister David Cameron.
The trip was used to announce £5.6 billion of deals between UK and Chinese firms across a range of industries. Much of the work on these deals would have been done in advance. But for Bristol, the high-level meetings could lead to investment further down the line. The delegation spent a day each in Beijing, Shanghai and Chengdu. Members started each day with a big session before breaking down into smaller groups where they met Chinese businessmen and officials.
Ms Dean has been to China before, but said the Prime Minister leading the trip had a big impact. She said: “The Prime Minister gave an outstanding overview of what Britain has to offer the Chinese. The Government involvement allowed us to meet the people you want to talk to.” Ms Dean had talks with Chinese companies who might be interested in setting up in the UK or working with UK firms, and was able to put the case for Bristol. She said: “We talked about some of the technology strengths we have here in the region, and the universities. For companies looking to invest, the eco system is very important. They want to know it is a business-minded city.”
She also met Chinese property investors, who could help the Emersons Green park to fulfil the next stage of its development – as the park has room to expand, if it can secure the investment to build. Ms Dean said: “Investors are interested in what is outside London because the London market is so competitive. It is a good opportunity to promote the science park and the Bristol and Bath area, particularly because of our proximity to London and the upcoming electrification of the train line to the capital.”
No firm deals were done but Ms Dean and others on the trip will be following up initial interest and building on the promising first meetings with the hope of bringing new investment to the city. But she said the trip was also a reminder of how good Bristol needs to be to compete. She said: “I have been to China before, but going reminds you of the scale of their ambition and pace at which they fulfil their ambition. It is something we have to be mindful of. We need to think about how the Bristol region competes on a world stage because we have some very impressive competition.”
Source: Bristol Post