I WILL be relocating my employment to the north east in the New Year, after five years working in Warrington with the University of Chester.

During that time, I have watched with great interest the development of Warrington as an economic hotspot, arguably the strongest in the north.

In 2012 the Omega development was just a concept, now leading organisations such as Amazon, Asda, Travis Perkins, Brakes and Hermes have established the former brownfield site as a leading UK logistics hub.

The development of Warrington town has also moved forward massively; Time Square’s mixed retail and leisure development, the adjacent Cultural Quarter updates and Stadium Quarter evolution are just the first phases of further planned regeneration.

The inclusion of the Birchwood Park as part of the Enterprise Zone status and Science Corridor concept recognises the strategic importance of the nuclear cluster to the UK. The next five years will see further critical development; the Waterfront Area, Cabinet Works and infrastructure including Bank Quay and road enhancement, necessary to keep Warrington moving.

LAWRENCE Bellamy is deputy provost at the University of Chester’s Padgate campus and writes a regular column for business in the Warrington Guardian.