Nottingham’s public and private sector are gearing up for MIPIM – the world’s biggest property event.
Team Nottingham – a combination of city council leaders and private sector companies – is heading to MIPIM in Cannes again next month in order to attract leading developers and investors from across the globe – and market Nottingham’s growing opportunities.
The city’s theme this year is ‘Talented Nottingham’ – and the team will be showcasing the city’s diverse creativity – ranging from Paul Smith to the development of the MRI scanner and Ibruprofen, as well as examples from digital and science sectors such as GameCity and BioCity. The aim is to show all the opportunities in Nottingham available to investors and developers considering the city for new developments.
Nottingham has succeeded in establishing a recognisable presence at MIPIM over the years. MIPIM is an opportunity to sell the city – and stand shoulder to shoulder with not just UK and European cities, but those from across the world.
Ian Curryer, Nottingham City Council’s chief executive, said: “MIPIM is a major opportunity for Nottingham and the city is now at a pivotal point with development opportunities, ambition, and a suite of financial and business support available.
“We are determined to make the most of these opportunities in a targeted way, put Nottingham on the international stage and encourage investment in the city. We carefully consider the costs of attending against the economic benefits and it’s clear that MIPIM gives us a unique chance to speak to developers and investors from across the UK and the globe about opportunities in Nottingham.”
Nottingham has seen significant benefits from attendance at MIPIM. As well as raising the city’s profile so it is considered as a potential investment location, MIPIM has been the location for progressing deals on Specsavers locating a new office in Nottingham which created 300 jobs, the development of the E.On Nottingham site, bringing UK Regeneration to the city, which is about to start a £33 million housing scheme and brokering the sale and purchase of Beeston Business Park.
The success of MIPIM is the way it puts investors and developers in touch with local authorities – and the benefits are evident, said Jackie Sadek, chief executive of UK Regeneration (UKR).
Jackie chose Nottingham for UKR pilot scheme following a meeting with the Nottingham City Council at MIPIM in 2012.
“We are about to bring this major project to Nottingham,” she said. “It is multi-million pound scheme which will benefit local people, creating jobs and increasing the employment and skills offer. UKR met with the city at MIPIM two years ago, and this is how the relationship was developed. Had the city not been at MIPIM, this project simply wouldn’t have happened in Nottingham and we would have gone to another city.”
Nottingham has had a smaller presence at MIPIM in recent years – but it is very timely this year to increase its presence again given the progress with delivering major infrastructure projects, the clarity of vision for business growth in the city, and hopefully some more positive signs from the development market.
Ian added: “We have a strong offer compared to many other cities – with unparalleled investment underway in the city including the expansion of the tram network, redevelopment of both shopping centres, a higher than average number of jobs and apprenticeships created last year and a well-defined Growth Plan to support the city’s future business strengths. We also have significant demand for high-end office space and sites to deliver that capacity.”
At MIPIM Team Nottingham will be launching a new app to show the city’s development opportunities including the Boots Enterprise Zone – and it will be premiering a movie showing Nottingham’s creativity. The film, being made by award-winning Spool, will feature well known faces from Nottingham – including actress Vicky McClure.
Joining Nottingham city council at Cannes are Experience Nottinghamshire – which will be showcasing the city’s conferencing opportunities, and Nottingham Regeneration. Private sector sponsors include: Innes England, Rizk McCay, Cartwright Communications, Morgan Tucker, and Gleeds. Also in the line-up are UK Regeneration, Lewis & Hickey, property consultants FHP, CPMG, Couch Perry Wilkes (CPW), Geldards, Miller Birch and Willmott Dixon.
Nick Gregory of architecture firm CPMG, said: “MIPIM is a fantastic opportunity for Nottingham and the city has to have a presence there when the likes of Leicester, Derby, Manchester and Sheffield are there.
“Nottingham has so much to shout about. We have the new tram lines in 2014, and the massive changes to the A453. The city is on a roll and with this massive investment in Nottingham’s transport infrastructure and major works to the Nottingham Railway Station, the city is forging ahead with regeneration plans while others are standing still.
“It is vital therefore that we go to MIPIM, the largest event of its kind which attracts thousands of property people, and talk about what Nottingham has to offer developers, investors and multi-national firms.”
Ashley Cowdrey of CPW said: “MIPIM will give us an opportunity to show that both private and public sector have every intention of making the most of the opportunities all this investment presents.
“With a strong public-private sector commitment, Nottingham will be stronger than ever at MIPIM 2014.”
MIPIM takes place from March 11-14, centred around a large scale exhibition in the Palais de Festival in Cannes in the south of France which attracts tens of thousands of visitors.
