Bath and Bristol have teamed up for the first time to jointly promote themselves as a single prime inward investment destination. A new brand called Invest in Bristol and Bath is to be launched next Tuesday at MIPIM, the world’s highest-profile international property and development showcase.
The new approach has been welcomed in both cities as a complete split with past sentiment when Bristol and Bath would com
pete against each other and market themselves individually to potential inward investors.
As a result, both have failed to punch their weight at events like MIPIM, which takes place annually in the French city of Cannes, attracting upwards of 19,000 visitors and is now the prime shop window to promote city/regions and their development areas.
The launch of the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has meant Bristol and Bath working much closer together to boost the economy and bring jobs to the area.
The Invest in Bristol and Bath stand at MIPIM will provide a spectacular backdrop for the launch of the new brand. Reflecting the ‘blank canvas’ start of the new service, a dramatic blank white stand will appear at the beginning of the show.
During the course of four-day event artists will create a stunning, constantly-evolving design on the stand, reflecting the creativity and wealth of opportunities and high-growth business sectors that the region boasts.
The West of England presence is led by LEP chairman Colin Skellett, Bath and North East Somerset Council leader Paul Crossley, Bristol’s recently-elected Mayor George Ferguson, South Gloucestershire Council chief executive Amanda Deeks, and Simon Gregory, economic development service manager at North Somerset Council.
The new service, created by the LEP, is being supported by one of the strongest private sector delegations at MIPIM in recent years which will include Prof Joe McGeehan, LEP chair of investment and promotion, Nick Sturge, director of Bristol University’s business innovation and incubation centre SETsquared, and Paul Appleby, chair of Bristol Media.
Mr Skellett said: “This marketing drive is anchored by Bristol and Bath, two of Europe’s most admired cities, with superb transport links.
“Together these two cities offer flourishing high-growth industries and an unrivalled quality of life and cultural appeal, which are reflected in their attracting and retaining a highly skilled workforce and the brightest graduates.
“But it’s not just a tale of two cities. Behind Bristol and Bath there is a rich, well-connected hinterland, vaunting world-beating aerospace, advanced engineering, micro engineering, creative industries, environmental technologies and services as well as scope for logistics and distribution facilities.”
The LEP – ranked top in a recent Financial Times survey of the best-rated LEPs in the country – has undertaken research into international investment agencies.
Mr Skellett added: “Invest in Bristol and Bath has been designed for today and the decades ahead. It is shaped to provide an exemplary, joined up approach, providing investors with a new level of guidance and support.”
Prof McGeehan, a pioneer of mobile phone technology, said: “In telecoms, people talk in terms of super-connected networks. We have super-connected cities and towns. People work, live and enjoy their leisure time across this region. There are no boundaries. It’s all connected.”
Mayor Ferguson said: “We see MIPIM as a great opportunity to show international investors how Bristol and Bath is the most attractive UK location for new business and industry. This is why we’re chosen the event to officially launch our Invest in Bristol and Bath service.
“Our clear message is that we’re open for business with a wealth of attractive development opportunities to meet the needs of any investor at any scale, including city centre offices in prime location, industrial space and world-class R & D facilities.”
A number of regional firms are also providing sponsorship to make the Invest in Bristol and Bath presence possible. These include Arup, Bristol & Bath Property Agents, Bristol Port Company, Burges Salmon, Curo Group, GVA, Land Securities, Prupim, Quintaine and Willmott Dixon.
