Economic growth plan aims to make Enfield the 'leading borough in London' to do business

The new council growth plan highlights “four key growth sectors” for which it claims Enfield has a “competitive advantage and strong future potential”, reports James Cracknell

Shoppers in Enfield Town and (inset) council leader Alessandro Georgiou

Enfield Council has launched an economic growth plan that it claims marks a “major new approach to boost jobs, skills, business growth and investment” across the borough.

The Enfield Economic Growth Plan 2040, snappily titled Enfield Delivers, sets out an ambitious aim for Enfield to become, by 2040, “London’s leading industrial and entrepreneurial borough, harnessing its strategic location and regional growth opportunities, industrial past and present, unique green assets and dynamic communities to drive growth and prosperity”.

The plan highlights the borough’s economic strengths, with “many of the ingredients needed for success” such as the fourth-largest amount of industrial land of any London borough, having around 14,000 businesses – with most being small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) – as well as boasting a “young, diverse and entrepreneurial population”.

However, rising unemployment represents one of the borough’s toughest economic challenges, with Enfield’s above-average unemployment rate rising from 4.4% at the start of 2025 to 7% by 2026, according to the latest data from Trust for London. It means Enfield has the joint fifth-highest unemployment rate in London.

Young people in particular are facing many challenges getting into work in Enfield, as across the UK, amid steep declines in the availability of postgraduate jobs.

Recent setbacks have included the decision by Greggs last month to close its Brimsdown factory where 181 people are currently employed.

The borough’s new economic growth plan is built around three priorities: building a productive and resilient economy; creating thriving places; and developing a skilled and work-ready population.

It also identifies four key growth sectors where Enfield has a competitive advantage and strong future potential: future-facing manufacturing; construction and net zero; logistics and wholesale and creative industries.

These sectors have been chosen because they offer the “greatest opportunity to create high-quality jobs, boost productivity and attract investment”.

It’s hoped that Enfield’s major regeneration programmes, town centre investment and improvements to transport, digital and energy infrastructure will also help unlock future growth and create opportunities across the borough.

Council leader Alessandro Georgiou said: “Enfield is a borough full of ambition, talent and opportunity. We have world-class assets, thriving businesses, major regeneration programmes and one of the most entrepreneurial communities anywhere in London.

“But growth must work for everyone. Through this plan, we are setting out a clear plan to attract investment, create better jobs, support local businesses and help residents gain the skills they need to succeed.

“Most importantly, it is about delivery. This is our commitment to building a stronger economy and a brighter future for our borough.”

The plan also considers how progress and Enfield’s economic performance will be measured.

Colin Lee-Own, who has for many years run a digital hub for young people in Edmonton, is now working on the establishment of an ‘Enfield Employment Think Tank’ in an effort to help more local residents get into work.

He said: “We look forward to exploring how the think tank can help translate the growth plan’s ambitions into real pathways to sustainable employment for local people, especially marginalised communities experiencing disproportionately high levels of unemployment and barriers to accessing opportunities.”

Earlier this year the Dispatch reported that more than one-in-five working-age residents in Enfield were now claiming unemployment benefits, the highest number in London.

Read more about the council’s economic growth plan, Enfield Delivers:
Visit enfield.gov.uk/services/your-council/enfield-delivers

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