Liverpool City Region Freeport

Liverpool is the country’s leading transatlantic port handling 45% of the UK’s trade from the United States. The Freeport is ideally located within areas of logistics and manufacturing capability. Its sites include several existing rail terminals and water-accessible locations, stretching across a 45-kilometre diameter from the western point of Wirral Waters to the eastern point of Port Salford.

Livepool City Region Freeport offers a range of incentives to customs, tax, planning, infrastructure and innovation. See further details on Freeport benefits.

Tax benefits are available at the Freeport’s 3 tax sites, located at:

• Parkside, St Helens, ideal for advanced manufacturing and logistics businesses
• 3MG, Widnes, involved in the hydrogen market supporting low carbon fuels
• Wirral Waters, with large areas of dockside land attractive to port-centric businesses and advanced manufacturing

Location

Liverpool City Region port provides an exceptional gateway for trade connecting businesses across the UK, Europe, and beyond. Parkside, St Helens is the largest strategic employment site in the city region. Located in St Helens close to the M6 and M62, the site includes the former Parkside Colliery and is targeted at advanced manufacturing and logistics businesses.

3MG, Widnes, offers direct connections to the UK motorway network and rail access from the West Coast Main Line. 3MG is already involved in the hydrogen economy supporting capital investment in low carbon fuels and infrastructure.

Wirral Waters is located around the Birkenhead Docks. It has port connectivity, direct access to the M53 motorway and is located within the Mersey Waters Enterprise Zone. It comprises significant areas of dockside land capable of attracting a range of port-centric businesses, advanced manufacturing, innovation and research and development activities.

Connectivity

Liverpool City Region’s Freeport offers an integrated cluster of logistics assets and expertise to deliver faster, greener global market access. Extensive freight and logistics facilities support the import and export of goods to and from all major global markets.

There are 200+ flight destinations from 2 major airports within a 45-minute drive, and extensive freight and logistics facilities to support the import and export of goods to and from all major global markets.

There are 10 motorways within 10 miles, and 10 national rail-linked terminals, with only a 2-hour journey time to London.

Local talent and skills

There are 19,000+ science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) students, and 19,000+ graduates in the Liverpool City Region.

Currently, there are 49,000+ people working in STEM roles and 60,000+ in skilled trades.

National government support

As specially designed areas with beneficial economic regulations, Freeports can help you achieve sustained growth, and may be able to save you time and money through:

Tax reliefs

• Stamp Duty Land Tax relief
• enhanced Capital Allowances for investment in plant & machinery and structures & buildings
• five years of Business Rates relief
• employer National Insurance contributions relief

Customs and planning

• simplified customs procedure
• deferrals and exemptions from duty payments
• VAT suspension within customs sites
• supportive local planning environments with constructive public-private partnerships

Innovation offer

• extensive public investment in skills and infrastructure
• access to the Freeport Regulation Engagement Network (FREN), enabling direct and early engagement between businesses, Freeports, and regulators
• access to the Freeport Innovation Network (FIN), a collaboration vehicle for Freeports to shape and organise their innovation activity as a collective