As the newest city in Wales, shortlisted for UK City of Culture 2025, with Tŷ Pawb nominated for Museum of the Year and significant funding secured from Welsh Government to develop the Wales Football Museum, Wrexham County Borough has never been better placed to build on these successes and develop a strong and prosperous economy: providing wealth, opportunity, safe and healthy neighbourhoods and supporting long term continued inward investment for key infrastructure and services.
With the fourth highest GDP in Wales (£27,595 per capita) the economy is performing well but is not without its challenges. Working collaboratively with partners at Ambition North Wales and Welsh Government to secure investment in Wrexham and the Mersey Dee region, we will develop economic opportunities, create attractive conditions for business growth and promote entrepreneurship to create local employment and wealth. Wrexham is recognised as a hub of industry and commerce in North Wales. We aspire to be a world leader in advanced manufacturing, energy and digital sectors; to attract and retain well paid sustainable jobs to the area, and to develop economic resilience.
Like most high streets across the UK, the city centre has seen a decline in its retail offer. Our Placemaking Plan signals intent for a reimagined, vibrant and attractive city centre with principles that will spread benefits through the wider County Borough. Improvements in the public realm, active travel and empty / problem properties will support creation of venues for culture, sports, community activities and events.
Unemployment stands at 4.9%, which is above the Wales average of 3.6% (2022 ONS figures) with long term sickness representing the largest barrier to work. We aim to reduce and prevent inequalities in employment by targeting those furthest from the workforce and increasing well-paid, secure jobs in order to contribute to a resilient, prosperous, healthy and more equal Wales.
Tourism contributes significantly to the wider Wrexham economy but is still recovering post-Covid with visitor spend of £101.02m in 2021, compared to £135.65m in 2019. Delivery of the Wrexham Destination Management Plan with our partners will provide an integrated route map to recovery; including developments at the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Canal World Heritage Site.
Our Priority Outcomes; what we want to work towards:
*indicates a Strategic Equality Objective
- Wrexham is effectively engaged locally, regionally and nationally, working in collaboration to build a more vibrant, well-connected, sustainable and resilient economy for North Wales, through the delivery of the North Wales Growth Deal and developing status within the Northern Powerhouse.
- Wrexham is promoted and recognised regionally, nationally and internationally as a vibrant hub of industry and commerce, with the capacity to meet the demand for inward investment and create the conditions needed to support commercial development and for existing businesses to grow.
- Wrexham has a concentrated, diverse and entrepreneurial City Centre with an appropriate mix of retail, residential and entertainment uses, through the implementation of an adopted Placemaking Plan, that will increase confidence for investors and entrepreneurs and support a reduction in empty properties.
- Wrexham County Borough has a high profile as a significant visitor destination in North Wales and the wider Mersey Dee Region. We are known for our cultural offer that spans both urban and rural communities (including World Heritage Site and Pontcysyllte Aqueduct), our football heritage, our Welsh identity and our ability to host large capacity events at the Racecourse complex, supported by the delivery of the Wrexham Gateway Masterplan.
- There are high employment rates and a good supply of accessible, well paid jobs. Skills gaps are identified and addressed along with opportunities resulting from new and emerging technologies and markets. People who experience barriers are supported to secure jobs and access employment sites and there are improved pathways to employment for minority groups.
This Priority contributes directly to all of Wales Well-being Goals:
- A prosperous Wales
- A resilient Wales
- A healthier Wales
- A more equal Wales
- A Wales of cohesive communities
- A Wales of vibrant culture and thriving Welsh language
- A globally responsible Wales