Boom times are coming
By Helen Popper on Thursday, 12th August 1999.
HAVERHILL is set to become a boom town with new and expanding high tech businesses, according to a new study.
The research, which was carried out on behalf of Business Link Suffolk, found that Haverhill was a "dynamic" town, with its businesses more competitive than those in similar-sized towns in other parts of the country.
The study was aimed to see how well Haverhill could respond to the opportunities being generated by the growth of Cambridge as a centre of high tech industry.
The researchers discovered that companies in the town were highly competitive, with a greater potential of booming than those in other parts of the country.
Roger Hetherington, business adviser at Business Link, said: "With all the talk about economic growth for the region arising from the Cambridge phenomenon and the creation of 'Silicon Fen', we have to ask, 'how well can Haverhill respond to the opportunities?'.
"The results really are very positive.
'Haverhill companies appear to have a greater potential than those in other areas of the country.
"The new survey has compared them with similar firms in other parts of the country and inalmost every case they performed better.
"I think this is due to the general dynamism in the area and the fact that Haverhill is wanting to grow."
More than 50 businesses in the town were given questionaires to fill in when the business survey was carried out in March and April.
A meeting will be held on September 1 to discuss the survey's findings and the possibilities itpresents, and business leaders are being urged to attend in order to contribute.
"We are hoping that people will want to come.
"There's a lot more to talk about concerning the issue and we want to get people's views on board," Mr Hetherington said.
Tom Harrison, chairman of Enterprise 2000, said: "This survey has shown that Haverhill is thriving.
"It is heading towards the Millenium with turnover and profits rising and with an impressive level of investment in information technology and business management.
"Haverhill is currently the subject of intense speculation as to its future growth.
"As Cambridge continues to bulge at the seams, the local planning authorities are turning their attention to Haverhill as a probable location for future growth."
The research, which was carried out on behalf of Business Link Suffolk, found that Haverhill was a "dynamic" town, with its businesses more competitive than those in similar-sized towns in other parts of the country.
The study was aimed to see how well Haverhill could respond to the opportunities being generated by the growth of Cambridge as a centre of high tech industry.
The researchers discovered that companies in the town were highly competitive, with a greater potential of booming than those in other parts of the country.
Roger Hetherington, business adviser at Business Link, said: "With all the talk about economic growth for the region arising from the Cambridge phenomenon and the creation of 'Silicon Fen', we have to ask, 'how well can Haverhill respond to the opportunities?'.
"The results really are very positive.
'Haverhill companies appear to have a greater potential than those in other areas of the country.
"The new survey has compared them with similar firms in other parts of the country and inalmost every case they performed better.
"I think this is due to the general dynamism in the area and the fact that Haverhill is wanting to grow."
More than 50 businesses in the town were given questionaires to fill in when the business survey was carried out in March and April.
A meeting will be held on September 1 to discuss the survey's findings and the possibilities itpresents, and business leaders are being urged to attend in order to contribute.
"We are hoping that people will want to come.
"There's a lot more to talk about concerning the issue and we want to get people's views on board," Mr Hetherington said.
Tom Harrison, chairman of Enterprise 2000, said: "This survey has shown that Haverhill is thriving.
"It is heading towards the Millenium with turnover and profits rising and with an impressive level of investment in information technology and business management.
"Haverhill is currently the subject of intense speculation as to its future growth.
"As Cambridge continues to bulge at the seams, the local planning authorities are turning their attention to Haverhill as a probable location for future growth."
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