A total of 14 sites across the North West are set to benefit from the Liverpool City Region’s successful attempt to win Freeport status.

While the docks in Sefton were at the heart of the bid, the respective developments at Wirral Waters, Port Salford, Parkside (St Helens) and 3MG (Halton) among others were included, which should prove massively beneficial to the clean energy and manufacturing industries.

Local leaders believe the Freeport will mean a net gain of around £850m GVA and create 14,000 jobs this decade as well as proving pivotal in meeting the 2040 net zero carbon target.

Asif Hamid MBE, Chair of the Liverpool City Region LEP said: “This is a groundbreaking announcement for the City Region. The multi-gateway, multi-modal Freeport will enable key sites across the Liverpool City Region to attract new investment, create jobs, support the wider economy and increase levels of innovation.

“It also has the potential for future opportunities in hydrogen, offshore wind and tidal power, ensuring our City Region becomes a focal point of the Government’s Net Zero ambitions and a global beacon for investment in renewable technologies.

Another big winner from the decision is regeneration specialists Peel L&P, which runs Wirral Waters and Port Salford and its Strategic Projects director Anthony Hatton believes the decision will play a big part in the chancellor’s long-stated ambition of rebalancing the economy.

He said: “As a hub for global trade and investment, the freeport will promote levelling up through regeneration, attracting foreign investment, creating new jobs and facilitating innovation, particularly in low carbon technology.

“Meanwhile, Wirral Waters is a nationally significant regeneration site that will support manufacturing and, through the creation of a £23m Maritime Knowledge Hub, will be a focus for dedicated maritime and decarbonisation innovation.

“The inclusion of our Port Salford tri-modal freight facility and distribution park will provide an inland customs site with rail access to the Port of Liverpool and the West Coast Mainline.”

BUSINESSES located within the freeport zones will benefit from having no tariffs to pay on imports and exports unless they are exported into the UK. Other major benefits include tax breaks, including no stamp duty, full rebates for construction and machinery investment and five years of zero business rates.