Good growth in every postcode 7th October 2026

Andy Burnham’s pledge to the country is “good growth in every postcode and hope in every heart”. What would this look like in practice? The answer lies in the economic success stories of British companies – small, medium and large – across the UK and building on these successes across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Each week, Paul Dimoldenberg looks at economic news from across the country to identify what “good growth” looks like in a diverse set of local communities to deliver the much-needed economic growth to power the economy and deliver new jobs, increased wealth and additional tax revenues to pay for improved public services. This week we feature:

• Nissan to manufacture new car in Sunderland (SR5)
• Gloucestershire Colleges build new training facilities (GL2 and GL19)
• Cleveland Group launches Doncaster depot (DN10)
• Lincolnshire energy park will power 130,000 homes (NG34)
• New store in Warrington for Northern Irish coffee shop (WA1)
• New training restaurant in Penzance (TR18)
• Lancashire tech and waste firm doubles in size for fifth year (BB4)

Sunderland: Nissan to manufacture new car in Sunderland (SR5)

Nissan has unveiled plans to launch a new model in Europe and will invest £170m to build it at its Sunderland site.  The Nissan Kicks is a compact (B-segment) crossover and features Nissan’s e-POWER hybrid technology. It will be manufactured at the Sunderland site, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, alongside the Qashqai, Juke and LEAF. Kicks is the tenth model allocated for Sunderland production since 1986, and follows the Bluebird, Primera, Micra, Almera, Note, Infiniti Q30, JUKE, Qashqai and LEAF.  From next year, Sunderland will also manufacture the third-generation Nissan JUKE which, for the first time, will be 100 per cent electric.  

Secretary of state for business and trade Jonathan Reynolds MP said, “The decision to build this new model in Sunderland is a huge vote of confidence in the UK’s manufacturing expertise and automotive future. I’m excited in what our partnership with industry can achieve so this government delivers good growth, investment and skilled jobs in every postcode.”

Gloucestershire: Colleges secure £9.1m to build new training facilities (GL2 and GL19)

Two Gloucestershire colleges have won a combined £9.1m from a government fund to build new training facilities. Gloucestershire College secured £4.5m to build a construction training centre at the 125 Business Park in Gloucester, while Hartpury College was awarded £4.6m to expand its animal management and science facilities.

The new construction centre, due to open in 2028, will provide specialist training in electrical, plumbing, wood trades, brickwork, plastering and maintenance. Both awards came from the Post-16 Capacity Fund, a government capital investment programme that supports colleges and other education providers. Claire Whitworth, principal at Hartpury College, said: “This investment will help us continue to provide the practical, industry-focused education that our students and employers value.”

Doncaster: Cleveland Group launches Doncaster depot (DN10)

North East business Cleveland Group has continued its national expansion with the opening of a new site in Doncaster, following the opening of a new five-acre depot in Newport, South Wales, in 2025. The Doncaster site builds on the Group’s existing locations in Middlesbrough, Ashby de la Zouch and Cambuslang. 

Since 2022, the company has generated strong year-on-year growth and more than doubled its workforce from 45 to 118. Six roles have already been recruited locally to support the new Doncaster location, with further opportunities expected as the depot grows. 

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Lincolnshire: Lincolnshire energy park will power 130,000 homes (NG34)

The Beacon Fen Energy Park in Lincolnshire, with the potential to generate enough clean electricity each year to power approximately 130,000 UK homes, has secured development consent from the new Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, Miatta Fahnbulleh MP. Beacon Fen Energy Park has been brought forward by renewable energy company Low Carbon and will have an installed solar capacity of 400 MW and 600 MW of co-located battery storage. 

Located on land to the east of Sleaford and north of Heckington, the solar and battery storage park will connect to the grid via the Bicker Fen substation. Projects like Beacon Fen are central to delivering the UK’s clean power ambitions, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and creating a more resilient energy system. The approval sends a clear signal about the importance of accelerating homegrown, clean energy that can play a key role in strengthening energy security and supporting economic growth.

Warrington: New store in expansion of Northern Irish coffee shop (WA1)

Independent coffee shop brand Bob & Berts is creating 20 jobs with the opening of its latest café at Golden Square Shopping Centre in Warrington, marking the first opening in the brand’s next phase of UK expansion. Founded in Portstewart, Northern Ireland in 2013, Bob & Berts has grown from a single neighbourhood coffee shop to a 28-store business spanning Northern Ireland, Scotland and England. 

Its all-day dining concept has helped establish the brand as a destination for everything from breakfast meetings and family lunches to afternoon catch-ups, supporting its continued growth across the UK. The new 3,000 sq ft Warrington store seats 135 guests and starts the next chapter of the company’s growth, with further locations planned as part of Bob & Berts’ five-year expansion strategy.

Penzance: New training restaurant in Penzance (TR18)

Renowned chef Tom Brown will open a training restaurant in Penzance’s Grade I-listed Market House, giving hospitality students at Penwith College real-world experience in a professional kitchen. The restaurant will open in summer 2027 on the first floor of the historic building as part of the Penzance Regeneration Company’s Market House project. Students and graduates from Truro and Penwith College will gain experience through work placements, apprenticeships and employment at the restaurant.

Brown, who was born in Cornwall and began his career working in restaurants – including with Rick Stein in Padstow, will create the restaurant’s ethos, oversee standards and develop the menu. He will also deliver masterclasses and mentoring. A small core team will oversee commercial delivery and training, with most of the restaurant team made up of students and graduates from the college. The menu will celebrate sustainably sourced local produce, with a focus on fish and seafood. The Penzance Regeneration Company is also transforming the old Market Hall to create a street food hall, featuring three kitchen pods and a bar.

Lancashire: Tech and waste specialist firm doubles in size for fifth year (BB4)

Envirovue, a Lancashire-based technology and waste specialist firm, is set to expand as it forecasts 100 per cent growth for the fifth consecutive year. The company is expanding into a larger space at Hardmans Business Centre in Rawtenstall to accommodate its growing team. 

The Rossendale business combines software with specialist compliance expertise to help organisations transform waste management processes, improve environmental performance, and reduce costs. Envirovue also recently recorded its highest ever employee satisfaction score, at 98 per cent.

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