Capitalising on its thriving economy, the Team Leicester partnership of private sector property and professional services businesses will be heading to MIPIM – the world’s largest property exhibition held in Cannes promoting Leicester as the ‘healthy choice’.
This theme is purposely synonymous with the region’s emerging Local Industrial Strategy and showcases Leicester’s outstanding lifestyle, cultural offer and importantly, how it is a sound and healthy place in which to invest.
Leicester boasts the largest economy in the East Midlands. Commercially, its property industry is thriving beyond all expectations. Investment remains strong right across the area with total transactions in 2018 up by 61 per cent on the previous year.
New, speculative developments are starting to address the need for good quality, city centre office accommodation. The take up of both office and industrial space in the city and surrounding county is above average and office prime rents rose to a new high in 2018.*
Rob McGuinn, chair of the Team Leicester partnership said, “Leicester is outstripping many of the UK’s major cities in terms of development and investment. We are witnessing an incredible surge in commercial property development, not only in the city but also in the surrounding county, particularly where logistics has a key role – unsurprisingly, given our outstanding central location.
“Being at the centre of the property sector, we, in Team Leicester, know there is still masses of untapped potential in this area. Rubbing shoulders in Cannes with business people that can capitalise on these for the mutual benefit of the region and business, is what we aim to do.
“Overall, Leicester is an extremely healthy place in which to invest from an investment, lifestyle, and commercial perspective. And that’s the message we are intending to get across to the global audience from countries around the world, in Cannes.”
The area boasts a fantastic retail, tourism and quality of life that makes it an extremely attractive place.
City Mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby said: “Leicester is a brilliant city to live and work in and a great place to do business.
“It is a city that is proud of its history and excited about its future. Alongside growing tourism, fantastic retail and access to beautiful countryside on its doorstep, the area is home to three world-class universities renowned for expertise, innovation and the high calibre of their graduates.
“We have an exciting vision for economic growth which has attracted major investment into the city in recent years and seen Leicester’s international reputation grow. Our vision now is to sustain a healthy climate for growth and economic prosperity that will help ensure that people and businesses in Leicester continue to flourish.”
Joe Levy is managing director at Bradgate Estates –Team Leicester’s headline partner. He said, “Bradgate Estates is a family owned property development company based in the Midlands that specialises in high end student and PRS blocks. Having already developed a number of city centre student and high-end residential accommodation, we are well truly embedded in the Leicester property scene and find it to be an outstanding place to invest in every aspect, from the relationships with the planning authorities to the consultancy and professional services that all have a part to play. Leicester really does operate as a ‘team’. And everyone benefits.
“We would be delighted to speak to any property sector business or investors to share our experience of how healthy a place Leicester is to invest.”
The Team Leicester partnership is led by Rob McGuinn, director of MDA Consulting, Richard Osborn, regional director at Excello Law, Mukesh Patel, managing partner at Freeths and Mark Oakley, director of inward investment and place marketing at Leicester City Council.
The 2020 headline partner is again, Bradgate Estates and the partnership is supported by public and private sector sponsors which include: Excello Law, Freeths, MDA consulting, Obstrat, Harworth, Leicester City Council, Leicestershire County Council, the Leicester & Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership and the Leicester Business Festival. Team Leicester’s MIPIM programme is being managed by Associate Events.
