Study of Business Growth Prospects in Harlow from Stansted Airport
In March 2008 Harlow Renaissance commissioned a study - jointly with BAA Stansted - to examine the potential for Harlow’s economic development related to the expansion of Stansted Airport. Following competitive tendering, consultants Ancer Spa were appointed to undertake the study.
The study had the following objectives:
- To determine how Harlow can attract more businesses to capitalise on the town’s close proximity to Stansted Airport
- To identify the measures partners in Harlow can take to successfully market the town and target businesses to locate in and around the town, using its location close to the airport to maximum advantage
- To highlight what Harlow’s existing businesses and residents need to do to ensure that they also benefit from the town’s location
- To identify the measures to be taken to allow businesses at the airport to grow commensurate with the airport’s expansion
The study examined the impact of airport growth at other locations to identify good practice. These airports were Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton, East Midlands and Schipol (Amsterdam).
In each case a detailed analysis was undertaken of the businesses around the airport towns, including a review of statistical data on business units and employment, coupled with findings from discussions with local authorities within or adjacent to the selected airport areas. This identified the types of industries by sub-sector that could be expected to evolve under alternative airport growth scenarios and levels of operation.
In summary, the study identified significant potential for Harlow to capitalise on the expansion of Stansted Airport, whether in terms of job opportunities or the attraction of specific types of business activity that are either airport-related or airport-dependent. But for this potential to be realised, Harlow faces a number of challenges. There will be a need to help more local residents to take up new job opportunities and the attraction of new industries to the town will require bold measures, bringing forward high quality sites and supporting infrastructure, conditions which cannot all be achieved in the short-term, though early advantage can be taken of the town’s rail links.