Bristol is ideally placed to take advantage of an upturn – but needs a figurehead to tell the rest of the world it’s open for business.
That’s the view of commercial property experts from Colliers International who are backing calls from the city’s business community for Bristol to have it own elected Mayor.
Head of Investment Property Management Mike Bull said recent high-powered business gatherings in the city had revealed extensive support for the campaign.
He said: “Business chiefs are upbeat about the city’s prospects and agree Bristol is doing everything right – apart from telling the rest of the world it is doing everything right.
“Although commercial activity across the city remains cautious forecasters are predicting a modest upturn by the second half of the year and this is precisely where Bristol will benefit.
“Although Bristol is well placed to take advantage of any upturn, we need one voice to drive the city forward.”
Mike Bull pinpointed several key areas where the city has a marked advantage over rival centres.
“Thanks to the heavy concentration of universities in the area we have a ready pool of skilled staff alongside an experienced labour pool. Bristol has unmatched green credentials and a particularly strong creative and digital sector as well as financial and engineering services.
“It’s also close enough to London to provide easy access to the engine room of the economy without being drowned out by the sound of the engine.”
“Aside from the business concerns there is a bigger and even better picture – Bristol remains an exciting and enjoyable place to live. We have the opportunity for businesses and a great quality of life for their employees.”
Mike Bull argued that the city should have made more of its advantages than it had and said an elected mayor would give Bristol the concerted voice and direction it needed.
“The Environment Agency relocating to Bristol should be seen as recognition of the city and the region’s strengths – but putting the wider political wranglings aside, there was a general sense of disappointment that Bristol wasn’t seen as a more serious contender for the recent siting of the Green Investment Bank for which Bristol was considered but which ended up going to Edinburgh.
“Given our already strong credentials in the financial services sector and our great green credentials we should have been near the top of the list, if not at the very top.”
Colliers International forecasters acknowledge that the future of the wider economy remains uncertain and challenging, however the commercial property specialists remain optimistic that Bristol has the drive, creativity and all the right features to maintain its position as one of Britain’s brightest cities.
Mike Bull concluded: “A consistent message sent to the rest of the UK by a charismatic and determined Mayor would mean it was well placed to compete with other competitive cities to draw businesses and the jobs they create, from around the country and the rest of the world.
”Bristolians go to the polls in a month’s time to vote on whether the city should have its own elected Mayor. We believe it is an opportunity to appoint a genuine figurehead to lead Bristol out of the recession and tell the world that we aren’t just open for business, but that we are the best city in the UK in which to live, work and thrive.”
