Council to discuss investment in delivering crucial advanced manufacturing and engineering centre

08 Jul 2025

Investment to deliver a much needed state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing and engineering centre for West Suffolk is set to be discussed.

This innovative project, the concept of which was first agreed in 2021, will be a significant step forward in bolstering Suffolk’s reputation as one of the leaders in advanced manufacturing and supports a key growth area in West Suffolk. According to 2022 data, Advanced Manufacturing is the largest of the growth sectors in the Suffolk Economy, with £1.9bn gross value added in 2022. By 2050 that is due to more than double and contribute £4.7bn to Suffolk’s economy.

The new Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Centre (AME Centre), planned to be built in Bury St Edmunds will be at the heart of this growth, driving R&D, job creation, skills development, and collaboration.

Earlier this year the Suffolk Business Board, agreed to contribute a capital grant of up to £2 million and £166,000 annually over 15 years from Enterprise Zone funding to help meet this increase. This is on top of nearly £15 million supported by West Suffolk Council from the retained Enterprise Zone funding from Suffolk business park to date and over the remaining 15 years of the Enterprise Zone

On Tuesday 15 July, at their meeting West Suffolk Council will also consider investing an additional £3.45 million up front to bring the new revised total capital investment to £17.25m  

Designed to support startup businesses, the AME Centre will deliver 17 flexible, self-contained workshop units, as well as shared meeting and conference spaces. By filling a critical market gap, this centre will boost economic resilience, enable sustainable development, close skills shortages, and maintain Suffolk's competitive edge in the advanced manufacturing sector.

Delivering the AME centre aligns closely with the objectives of the Government’s Industrial Strategy by fostering innovation, enhancing productivity and supporting high-quality job creation in this sector.  

Cllr Indy Wijenayaka, Cabinet Member for Growth for West Suffolk Council, said: “By building the AME Centre there will be provision of incubation space that is currently not available in the area. 

“The AME Centre promises to play a transformative role in sustainable growth for the local economy, supporting new and existing businesses to grow and creating opportunities for skills, training and employment for the benefit of our local communities. 

“The Government acknowledge that the UK is one of the most attractive destinations in the world for Advanced Manufacturing and has outlined their ambition to nearly double the annual business investment in the AME sector to £39 billion in 2035 in their Industrial Strategy. By delivering the AME Centre, West Suffolk Council and partners have the opportunity to secure Suffolk as a leader in this sector and draw multi-million pound investments to the area, that might have gone elsewhere, if we did not intervene.

“By investing in this sector, we can help increase local salaries above the national average, which in turn will help residents cope with increased living costs and house prices, enabling them to remain living and working in West Suffolk.   

"We are grateful for the collaborative efforts of our partners, Suffolk County Council and the Suffolk Business Board, in supporting this vital project.”
 

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