Emergency support for flood-hit Leeds manufacturers

Leeds City Council has announced an initiative to support manufacturing firms affected by the recent flooding.

The council is working with manufacturing expert advisors to provide support. The team, which includes experts from the flagship Manufacturing Advisory Service, part of the Business Growth Service, has already visited more than 30 manufacturing businesses to discuss the issues they face as a result of flooding. The aim of this initial work is to understand the scale of the impact and to identify how businesses can be supported to get production started again.

As well as the financial assistance for businesses announced by the government, the council initiative is offering manufacturers a wider package of support. This will include assistance with searches for temporary premises, and advice on the process of getting production back up and running. The council will also provide support to businesses in accessing funding for new premises and machinery from government and the Leeds City Region LEP.

The council has discussed the need for government support for a scheme to assist manufacturers with the Communities Secretary, Greg Clark MP, during his visit to Leeds earlier this week.

Leader of Leeds City Council Councillor Judith Blake said:

“We want to do everything we can to help our great manufacturing businesses to get back on their feet after the recent devastating floods. Manufacturers face particular challenges in terms of the damage to their machinery and premises. We have a great track record in supporting manufacturing firms to invest and create jobs, and we will do everything possible to help them at this difficult time. We are making a strong case to government to do more to help our manufacturers.”

Manufacturers affected by the flooding can register for support by emailing the council at floodrelief@leeds.gov.uk or call 0113 222 4444 providing their details and indicating they are a manufacturing business. 

Notes:

Leeds has 29,000 jobs in manufacturing, with firms specialising in areas such as medical devices, print, food, packaging, general engineering, and textiles.

Leeds City Region has 140,000 manufacturing jobs, the UK’s largest concentration manufacturing.

Leeds City Council has been working to support manufacturers through the Leeds Manufacturing Forum, which it has run in partnership with the Manufacturing Advisory Service.

Leeds City Council has supported Leeds Manufacturing businesses access funding from the Leeds City Region LEP’s Business Growth Programme. Over £7.5million has been provided in grants to Leeds businesses, mostly manufacturers, for investment in plant, machinery and research and development, levering in over £50million in private sector investment, creating around 1000 jobs.