Runcorn - Economy

Economy

Of Runcorn's former industries, all but the chemical industry have disappeared. The industry was dominated for many years by ICI's Chlor Chemical division; since divested and taken over by Ineos. In Runcorn, Ineos manufactures chemicals including chlorine, chlorine-containing compounds including vinyl chloride, heavy chemicals including alkalis, and fluorine-containing compounds. A separate business within the same company manufactures salt from brine transported by pipeline from the saltfields of central Cheshire. The former ICI offices and laboratories now comprise the Heath Business and Technical Park, which provides office, laboratory, conference, and leisure facilities. To the east of the town, diverse industries have been developed including, because of the proximity to the motorway system, warehouses and distribution centres. The town continues to act as a port on the Manchester Ship Canal. There are two adjacent ports. Runcorn Docks is owned by the Manchester Ship Canal Company, which is part of the Peel Ports Group. The Port of Weston is owned by the Stobart Group.

There has been a shift in employment from manufacturing to service industries. In 1991, 34% worked in the manufacturing sector and 61% were in the service sector. By 2004 17% were in manufacturing jobs and 78% were in service jobs. This trend in the local region is demonstrated in this chart which shows the regional "gross value added" of Halton and Warrington at current basic prices, with figures in millions of British pounds.

1. ^ includes hunting and forestry
2. ^ includes energy and construction
3. ^ includes financial intermediation services indirectly measured
4. ^ Components may not sum to totals due to rounding

Runcorn has two shopping centres. The original shopping area was in the older part of the town on High Street, Regent Street, and Church Street. This centre continues to exist, but with the coming of the new town, has declined. There is a small supermarket and some specialist shops, but with a higher-than-average proportion of charity shops and take-away food outlets. A small market has been rebuilt adjacent to the old town bus station. In the centre of the new town area Halton Lea (formerly Shopping City) is an enclosed shopping mall with an attached bus station. Adjacent to it is Trident Park containing shopping outlets and a cinema and further away is an Asda supermarket.

Servisair has its head office in Runcorn.