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Invest in North Staffordshire Breakfast
Stoking up the fires
What is the business case for Stoke-on-Trent and its North Staffordshire neighbours? That was the aim of this morning’s Invest in North Staffordshire breakfast, part of the Insider’s Property Week events programme.
Catherine Raines, a business big hitter with an AstraZeneca pedigree, chairs the North Staffordshire Regeneration Partnership (NSRP) and the key message of her opening address was that the body, now entering the third year of its 20-year business plan, feels it has its ducks in a row for investors, with 11 strategic development sites and inward investment functions up and running.
Ashy McKay, head of economic development for NSRP, followed up, saying: “What reassures people that progress is happening is seeing tangible outcomes and products, but we all know regeneration doesn’t happen overnight. We’re now working towards planning with Genr8 on the Hanley central business district and have a development agreement with Realis on the East West Shopping Centre. The new sixth form college opens later this year and there’s a major Tesco project.”
Strengths and weaknesses of the area as a business location? Panellist Tony Neill, managing director of Navman Wireless, said: “We’re a global business and although the UK is more expensive to operate in it is our most profitable base. The quality of the labour force is what makes it work for us, although it would be good to see more business space options.”
To that end, Mike Smith of Genr8 was also on the panel. He said: “For me, the key for places like North Staffs is bringing companies and people back into town centres from out of town locations. There is a dearth of quality office accommodation currently. The office and retail schemes planned will stimulate further development and that enhances the quality of life offer.”
Greg Pepper, director of engineering firm Greenway Pepper, said: “The change that’s already happened is incredible, but you can always improve in what you offer businesses. We find the accessibility a strength.”
Stoke has suffered from an image problem and the panel was asked what the plan should be in branding. Pepper, a Stoke man born and bred, said that he favoured the North Staffs branding as Stoke as a name is “connected to the decline of traditional manufacturing and although those industries are being replaced, it still has that image”.
McKay added that internationally, in fields where the region has worked with places like Limoges, a fellow ceramics centre, and Australia, the Stoke brand remains strong – and that Stoke City FC's presence in football’s Premier League made it more so.
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