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recent releases from Leicester Shire Development Agency, Business Link for Leicestershire and Business Link Lincolnshire & Rutland | 
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Introduction to report on Leicestershire for Investment Now
By David Murphy, head of inward investment at Leicester Shire Development Agency
Leicestershire's successful track record on inward investment has stimulated the local economy for decades - attracting manufacturers, distributors and service businesses from the UK and overseas.
Central location and a flexible workforce give the area natural advantages over more remote and expensive locations.
In 1998, those attributes were enhanced when Leicester Shire Development Agency arrived on the scene to provide a dedicated service to inward investors. Today, there are good reasons to suggest Leicestershire has the best product offer to business it has ever had.
The city of Leicester is undergoing an urban renaissance that will gather momentum now that the Leicester Regeneration Company is underway. In the county, two BT e-locations are indicative of a leap in communications and technology provision for businesses. Meanwhile, the Leicestershire Economic Partnership will provide a new strategic focus for development.
SMEs are benefiting from a significant increase in service levels from the new Business Link for Leicestershire, managed by the LDA, while Leicestershire Chamber has also been receiving positive coverage.
Each of these is important. The exciting news for potential investors is a new level of cooperation between agencies. Businesses considering locating in Leicestershire can now expect to key into all the available services from a single source, an advantage we know from experience is high on the wish list of many investors.
This year has already been good to Leicestershire. The LDA, which is supported by Leicestershire County Council and other public and private sector organisations, has a healthy stockpile of potential investors. Already, high street bank HSBC has located its commercial customer centre employing 800 in Leicester while food manufacturer Samworth Brothers will employ up to 700 people at a new factory supplying Tesco.
September 11, recent events in the Middle East and the dispute between India and Pakistan have all contributed to a lengthening "dwell period" for overseas investors. Nevertheless, overall demand for commercial property in Leicestershire and enquiries from potential investors are now back to last year's levels, thanks to growing intra-UK demand.
As overseas investors regain their confidence, Leicestershire is poised to achieve record inward investment successes.
Ends
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