Two Leicestershire locations recognised in the fDi Intelligence rankings

Two Leicestershire locations have been recognised in the fDI Intelligence's European Cities and Regions of the Future 2023. The European Cities and Regions of the Future 2023 ranking benchmarked against each other the most promising investment destinations across Europe. It assessed as many as 370 European cities divided by population size into five groups — major, large, mid-sized, small and micro cities — as well as 148 European regions divided into three groups — large, mid-sized and small regions. The rankings benchmark European cities and regions according to their economic, financial, and business strengths.

According to the ranking The East Midlands region was ranked 6th in the Top 10 Large European Regions of the Future 2023.   Winners also included the market town of Lutterworth which was ranked 5th in the Top 10 Micro European Cities of the Future, as well as ranking 2nd for business friendliness. Nearby Castle Donington was ranked 6th in the same catergory. 

This shouldn't come as a surprise as Leicester & Leicestershire is a region within the logistics ‘Golden Triangle’ – formed by the M1, M42 and M6 motorways. This allows access to 98% of the UK population within a four-hour drive, making it the ideal hub for logistics and distribution companies.

The growing choice of modern logistics and distribution parks includes:

- Magna Park Lutterworth, which is the UK and Europe’s largest dedicated logistics and distribution park. Home to 36 different companies including Asda, Britvic, BT, DHL and Toyota and occupying over 11 million ft² (1 million m²) of sustainable floor space across 41 buildings. The park is undergoing major expansion, which when fully developed potentially deliver 15.8 million ft² (1.5 million m²) of warehouse space.

- Segro Logistics Park East Midlands Gateway is a 700-acre strategically located, prime development site offering industrial and logistics development opportunities. Current occupiers include XPO, Kuehne & Nagel, Games Workshop, DHL and Shop Direct. The park is also home to the East Midlands Gateway Strategic Rail Freight Terminal providing direct access to the UK’s network of Rail Freight Interchanges and all major UK sea ports.

- The East Midlands Distribution Centre (EMDC) at Castle Donington offers 2.5 million sq ft of logistics and distribution infrastructure for huge operations such as Marks and Spencers, Birlea and Interlevin.

These major companies find that investing in Leicester and Leicestershire puts them at the heart of a strongly functioning supply-chain with a highly-skilled workforce, alongside a rich and diverse commercial scene that’s driving innovation in the logistics sector.

Mike Denby, Director of Inward Investment & Place Marketing said,

"Leicester & Leicestershire is a vibrant, innovative and exciting region to live and work in, with something to offer for all, with one of the youngest and most diverse communities in the UK - offering a wealth of opportunities for businesses to expand and grow. We’re proud that Lutterworth and Castle Donington and the wider East Midlands region has been recognised by fDi Intelligence’s European Cities and Regions of the Future 2023. It is no surprise that we are becoming the UK’s location of choice for logistics and distribution companies, being able to offer affordable, modern employment units and sites with outstanding connectivity to major air, rail and sea ports, access to a large pool of skilled labour and graduate supply, and quality training facilities, offers a strong competitive advantage for our area"

Continued confidence in the area’s logistics strengths has driven investment in facilities to support innovation and R&D within the logistics sector, such as Nestlé’s and VF Corporation’s new ‘digital distribution’ centres. Magna Park is also home to the Centre for Logistics, Education and Research (CLEAR), which is a unique research, innovation, education, and training facility, aiming to deliver the ‘must have’ knowledge, skills, behaviours and talent. Set up by North Warwickshire and South Leicestershire College, Wincanton PLC and GLP to deliver a ‘one-stop-shop’ for boosting success in supply chains.

Leicestershire is a region packed full of logistics talent and our pipeline is guaranteed for decades to come. We’re proud to have some of the best universities in the UK at the cutting-edge of advanced logistics including the Logistics and Transportation Analytics research group, based at Loughborough University, which focuses on research, development and application of multi-disciplinary work that impacts on future challenges facing logistics and transportation