A BID to boost economic growth in parts of the town centre is being prepared by the local enterprise partnership.

Earlier this year, the Government started a bidding process for new enterprise zones around the country and it has been decided to try and secure one for the region.

The bid, which will be submitted later this month, will include Kimmerfield, the ‘railway corridor’ around Gloucester Street and the former Aspen House site.

As it is being put forward by the Swindon and Wiltshire LEP it will also include areas in Corsham and Porton Down.

An enterprise zone gives businesses relief on rates but the local authority receives the full amount from government.

It is designed to bring new companies to an area in order to speed up regeneration.

Councillor Garry Perkins (Con, Haydon Wick), the cabinet member for regeneration, said: “If we can get this it will be a real kick-start for the regeneration with the town centre.

“It will be a win-win-win situation.

“Business will have a have a reduced rate, the council will get the income and the local economy will be boosted.

“We are in talks with potential companies so being able to put this on the table will be a real boost.”

Enterprise zones elsewhere in the country have normally been based over one site but Coun Perkins does not believe this will be an issue.

He said: “All the sites in Swindon we have chosen are ready to go so that strengthens our case.

“As we are part of SWLEP or bid involves other areas but I don’t think this will be an issue.

“If needs be, the government could just select Swindon or one of the other sites.”

While supporting the idea of enterprise zones, Labour says the fractured bid may hold it back and areas on the outskirts of Swindon should have been chosen.

Group leader Jim Grant (Lab, Rodbourne Cheney) said: “I think the nature of this Local Enterprise Zone bid shows the limitations of having a Local Enterprise Partnership with Wiltshire.

“This is a fragmented bid that I think will struggle to compete with bids from other Local Enterprise Partnerships because it is not focussed on a single area of land that has a single purpose.

“Frankly what should be happening is that we should be bidding for these type of zones on land on the outskirts of Swindon with close links to the A419 or the M4 that can produce lots of good quality jobs, possibly in manufacturing or engineering, and has the most economic benefits.”