Insider Media Limited

The fledgling Invest in Nottingham Club has received a warm welcome from the local business community. Several company directors have told Insider that the organisation is “crucial” to the success of the city.

Headed by Nottingham City Council, Nottinghamshire County Council and Nottingham Development Enterprise, the Invest in Nottingham Club is aimed at attracting support from sponsors who will go out and shout about what Nottingham has to offer, according to Roger Summerton, the chairman of Nottingham Development Enterprise.

Summerton told Insider: “We need to encourage more inward investment into Nottingham. We’ve managed to get some good backers on board, but there are also more people out there who can act as sponsors for the city. They might not know how to yet, but we want to supply them with the tools to be able to.”

The club’s founder members include heavyweights such as Alliance Boots, Experian and BioCity.

Craig Straw, director of agency at the Nottingham office of Innes England, said: “In order to encourage inward investment, it is vital that Nottingham and the county pull together to highlight the benefits of coming here. But attracting investment to the area is even more challenging which is why organisations like Invest in Nottingham and its Invest in Nottingham Club are so crucial.

“While we all know that Nottingham is a dynamic environment where business can thrive, we need to make sure that we shout about its opportunities to attract not only investment, but talented entrepreneurs and small businesses which will shape the city’s future.”

Ian Blatherwick, managing partner at Browne Jacobson in Nottingham, said: “There is a real appetite amongst businesses for getting behind Nottingham, and getting out there and promoting it. The Invest in Nottingham Club is a real opportunity to do that, and we’re very keen to get involved.”

Wayne Cox, senior partner of KPMG in Nottingham is also enthused. He told Insider: “The city still faces the transport bottle neck along the A453 and in recent years, has been subjected to negative publicity around its crime levels. It is therefore critical that we work harder than ever to effectively communicate the far greater benefits of being in this city.

“By uniting the efforts of the business community and local government, I believe this is something that can be achieved. The recently established Invest in Nottingham Club is certainly having an impact with its practical, action oriented approach. By using business leaders to promote the city, it is able to put into action its plans quickly.”

Summerton says the Club wants to focus on high profile events, as well as push forward particular sectors such as creative industries and the sciences.