As Chair of South West Business Council, I was delighted to the attend the Agratas site in Bridgwater, Somerset on 4 September 2025, to participate in a key milestone event, celebrating the first steel frames being erected for Building One. The construction of Building One will create 2,200 direct jobs and stimulate an estimated 7,500 jobs in the wider supply chain.

When complete the first building will create 1,600 well paid, permanent jobs, which are so essential to compliment the temporary construction jobs. 4000 permanent jobs are expected when the site is fully operational.

The local first approach to recruitment is fundamental and I am pleased to see a commitment to 300 apprenticeships between 2027- 2031, kickstarting new careers in battery manufacturing to help decarbonise the UK through electrification.

Here’s what Agratas has to say on LinkedIn:

“We were proud to welcome local partners to our Bridgwater site to mark the installation of the first steel frames for Building One – the first phase of our new battery manufacturing facility. This milestone provided an opportunity to share progress, unveil what’s next, and host a steel signing ceremony where guests added their names to an integral beam in the build process.

We also presented new research highlighting the facility’s potential to boost growth, jobs, and opportunities in the region. We’re deeply grateful to our partners, including Somerset Council, UCS College Group, and the wider local and business community, for their continued support.”