Solent Freeport

The Solent Freeport is a major opportunity for the UK,  the Solent’s location makes it the UK’s most important gateway to European and global markets.

In 2022, the Solent Freeport was announced as one of the first UK Freeports to be fully approved by Government. This final approval follows formal Government designation of the tax sites within the Solent Freeport, offering occupiers business rates relief and other incentives to support capital investment, skills and employment.

The Solent Freeport will accelerate the creation of high-quality employment space, with investment specifically targeted at state-of-the-art growth sectors and ground-breaking approaches to decarbonisation and green innovation.

There is an expectation that the Solent Freeport will attract £1.35 billion private sector investment in the area, plus an additional £1.75 billion GVA forecast to be generated for the UK as a whole because of the Solent’s strong existing trading links.

This new Freeport status further enhances the Central South’s geographical significance as the world’s gateway to the UK. The opportunities created for new business and trade into this innovative region are one-of-a-kind.

Location of Solent Freeport Sites

The Solent Freeport will unlock billions of pounds’ worth of investment, create tens of thousands of new jobs and level up our important coastal communities.

Establishing the Solent Freeport will enable us to create 30,100 new skilled and semi-skilled jobs including 15,050 direct jobs in the Solent and 15,050 in the wider UK supply chain.

Further information can be found on the Solent Freeport website.