More support for city businesses, a changing outlook for Stoke-on-Trent and greater opportunities to invest – that is the promise as local business leaders meet to discuss Stoke-on-Trent’s future.
Business leaders will join at the civic centre on Friday 20 January for the latest North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce speaker’s lunch supported by Stoke-on-Trent City Council.
The city council’s chief executive, John van de Laarschot, will be addressing city business leaders such as Michelin, Dudsons, NatWest and E.ON Energy Solutions on how the Mandate for Change is creating a greater working city and set for further enhancements this year.
Updating on major regeneration projects such as the development of the £350million City Sentral shopping complex and the new national Centre for Refurbishment Excellence (CoRE) the event will be a chance for businesses to find out what 2012 has in store for the city and hear an update on the great strides already made in 2011.
Mark Brammar of the North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “Our patrons meet regularly at lunches such as these and we are particularly pleased that John van de Laarschot is taking the time out of his busy schedule to update businesses on the progress and plans for our city.”
Stoke-on-Trent’s Mandate for Change was launched last summer and details a clear outline of how the city is to move forward.
The four key aims are to create new business, support existing businesses, promote independence and healthy lives as well as making Stoke-on-Trent a great place to live.
On Friday John van de Laarschot will outline exactly what is needed to make this happen and update on the work done so far from developing a red carpet approach for inward investment to delivering major regeneration schemes across the city that are making a real difference to our communities lives. Projects such as the city’s new office led Central Business District in the heart of the city centre creating investment opportunities and thousands of jobs for local people as well as the improvements to public spaces in the city centre will help create a more visitor friendly atmosphere.
Councillor Mark Meredith, Stoke-on-Trent City Council cabinet member for economic development, said: “As part of the Mandate for Change the city council is committed to supporting existing businesses to grow as well as supporting people looking to bring new business to the city and invest. The red carpet approach that is being delivered by the inward investment team is fundamental to these aims. This event will help to update local business leaders on our recent achievements as well as providing the opportunity to discuss the changes happening this year.”
There will also be an opportunity for chamber patrons to ask questions and discuss the city’s future, as well as updating on the city’s plans to boost sustainable measures in the city.
