Harwich and Felixstowe bid for Freeport status

25 November 2020

We are excited to announce that we have joined together with the Port of Felixstowe, Essex County Council, Suffolk County Council, Tendring District Council, East Suffolk Council and the Haven Gateway to submit a bid to become one of the UK’s new Freeports.

Achieving Freeport status will enable Haven port operators, local businesses and the wider community to benefit from tax reliefs, simplified customs procedures and improved access to government funding opportunities.

Competition to achieve the status will be tough as it is estimated that only between 7 to 10 Freeports will be created across England. The Freeport East bid will be submitted on Friday 5 February 2021.

Chancellor of Exchequer, Rishi Sunak commented: “Our new Freeports will create national hubs for trade, innovation and commerce, levelling up communities across the UK, creating new jobs, and turbo-charging our economic recovery.”

Regular updates on the progression of the bid will be posted on The Loop.

Find out more about Freeports.
Read the Media Statement issued by the Freeport East group.