Date: Thu 25th February, 2010
Venue: Bath Rugby Club, “The Illustrious Suite”, Hamptons International Stand, Bath Rugby, 11 Argyle Street, Bath, Avon, BA2 4BQ
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Insider’s economic debate road show arrived in Bath in late February, where a panel of heavy-hitters debated the challenges and opportunities the city faces before an engaged audience of more than 100.
On the panel were John Betty, director of development and major projects for Bath and North East Somerset Council and Ian Bell, executive director of the Bath Chamber of Commerce, as well as Richard Grigsby of fast-growing Bath business Cyclescheme, Edward Nash of architectural practice Nash Partnership and Ron Humphreys of the University of Bath’s business incubator Bath Ventures.
Under discussion was the conundrum that is Bath’s economy. It is among the most beautiful and historic cities in Europe, which makes it a highly desirable and expensive place to live. Yet much of the economy still derives from tourism, delivering mainly low-value jobs. The upshot is a city with a transport system under pressure, dogged by in- and out-commuting. Many of the city’s well-heeled residents out-commute to well-paid jobs elsewhere, while each day also sees an influx of workers from cheaper areas into many of the low-paid roles the city offers.
But Bath’s prospects now look better, the audience heard, with its compactness and attractiveness potentially real assets as it starts to reinvent itself. Edward Nash said: “These days there is more emphasis on bringing people together again to create economic hubs that really work. That’s where the future lies and where Bath has an opportunity. High-density is the future.”
And John Betty said the potential of Bath was clear: “If Bath can open up its river corridor with development sites and cut down on commuting and become more sustainable it can succeed. It’s a different type of economy that’s coming. Bath is well-placed to deliver tomorrow’s high-value, low-volume jobs.”
Vision, though is one thing; delivery another. Ian Bell was said the theory was great but now was the time for Bath to start putting the theory into practice to bring about real change and secure its future success.
