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PROPELLING PROGRESS FROM THE HEART OF THE UK

East Midlands Freeport (EMF) is the UK’s only central freeport, sparking positive change for our investors, partners, communities, and the planet. 

About East Midlands Freeport

The East Midlands Freeport (EMF) was approved by UK Government and has been operational since 2023.

As the UK's only inland Freeport, it will drive economic regeneration across the East Midlands.

Underpinning this is a unique and world leading combination of partners focused on creating tens of thousands of jobs, boosting skills and accelerating the region’s commitment to decarbonisation and Net Zero through low carbon energy investments.

Meetings

The latest Board and Committee meeting papers.

Latest News

Find out the latest news about the East Midlands Freeport.

Our Vision

East Midlands Freeport's vision focuses on:

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Realising our Potential​

Transforming the East Midlands through economic growth

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Harnessing our Strengths​

Our central location, transport links and unrivalled expertise

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A Unique, Cohesive Offer​

Bringing together collaboration, investment and innovation

Our Sites

Straddling three East Midlands counties, East Midlands Freeport features three main sites: the East Midlands Airport and Gateway Industrial Cluster (EMAGIC) in North West Leicestershire, the Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station site in Rushcliffe in Nottinghamshire and the East Midlands Intermodal Park (EMIP) in South Derbyshire.

The exact location of the sites are shown in: 

East Midlands Freeport location and tax sites (PDF, 315.43 KB) Opens new window

The sites are strategically located with strong existing road and rail freight infrastructure connecting them to all other parts of the country, including seaport-based freeports. There is significant room for growth across the sites, accelerating regeneration, increasing skills and training opportunities, and providing new opportunities for some of the UK’s most deprived areas. The site development process will be managed by the respective landowners and any future development proposals will be subject to planning approval and public consultation.

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EMAGIC
East Midlands Airport and Gateway Industrial Cluster
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EMIP
East Midlands Intermodal Park
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POWER
Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station site redevelopment

Our Ambition

To fulfil the UK Government's goal to create national hubs for global trade and investment, promote regeneration, job creation and create hotbeds of innovation, East Midlands Freeport has the ambition to:

Drive significant new job growth in the region

Support regeneration and social mobility

Boost skills and opportunities

Drive local, regional and international trade

Promote sustainable growth

Harness innovation and enterprise

Position the region as a ‘green tech’ trailblazer

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions in pursuit of Net Zero

Governance

The Freeport is a terrific example of the public and private sector working in partnership, with 6 local authorities working and 6 industry partners, unifying to promote growth across the East Midlands.  

Collaboration was the bedrock of our successful bid for the East Midlands Freeport - combining public and private sector know-how and oversight and expertise.

As a collective, our Board is committed to delivering this powerful and unique proposition on behalf of the region and its people, driving a prosperous social and economic future for the region.

What are Freeports?

Freeports are a strategic national initiative playing a critical role in lifting UK growth regionally and nationally, combining opportunities to invest locally, collaborate regionally and trade globally. They are a powerful, coordinated tool for bringing jobs and prosperity to deprived areas, helping key industries expand and driving net zero progress through investment in technology research and development.

Do you want to operate a Freeport customs site?

A Freeport customs site (also known as a ‘free zone’) is a secure, enclosed customs zone where some of the normal tax and customs rules don't apply.

Freeport customs sites are run by an operator, known as a Customs Site Operator, who will be responsible for the security of the site and keeping records about goods moving in, around and out of the site, and activities undertaken.
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