Downtown in Business organizou uma discussão na mesa redonda no início desta semana, o futuro de Lancashire foi debatido por líderes de negócios de todo o condado. Desafios dos eventos pandêmicos e mundiais, o vidro do condado certamente estava meio cheio. Ashton) e Andrew Dewhurst (Maple Grove) apontaram para o desenvolvimento de Stoneygate, a regeneração do mercado de Preston e o Harris Center como uma evidência adicional de atividade positiva; O empresário de tecnologia da Lancashire, Luke Massey, cujo negócio está sediado em Londres, e o proprietário do restaurante Anthony Smith, recebeu o recente sucesso de Preston em atrair marcas como flanelas, Wagamama, e Mowgli. Massey e outros apontaram para Manchester, Liverpool e Birmingham tendo 'campeões' na forma de Andy Burnham, Steve Rotheram e Andy Street; e reclamou que o recente paper branco ainda estava focado nas áreas que possuem uma abordagem política mais coesiva e coordenada. O evento foi hospedado e patrocinado pelo fabuloso
In a discussion led by DIB Lancashire chair Rob Binns, and the Head of Marketing Lancashire Rachael McQueen, there was an overwhelming feeling that despite the recent challenges of the pandemic and world events, the county glass was certainly half-full.
Rachael highlighted the work of DIB members Conlon Construction at the Harris Museum, the train station master plan being undertaken by BDP, the garden village project in Lancaster and the Eden of the North as initiatives that would help to drive Lancashire’s economy forward.
Alban Cassidy (Cassidy & Ashton) and Andrew Dewhurst (Maple Grove) pointed to the Stoneygate development, the regeneration of Preston market, and the Harris centre as further evidence of positive activity; whilst Lancashire tech entrepreneur Luke Massey, whose business is headquartered in London, and restaurant owner Anthony Smith, welcomed Preston’s recent success in attracting brands such as Flannels, Wagamama’s, and Mowgli.
However, there was frustration around the room that this positivity was not being matched by the county’s political leadership. Massey and others pointed to Manchester, Liverpool, and Birmingham having ‘champions’ in the shape of Andy Burnham, Steve Rotheram, and Andy Street; and complained that the recent Levelling Up White Paper was still focussed on those areas that have a more cohesive and co-ordinated political approach.
Nonetheless, the general mood for the county’s future was optimistic, with DIB’s Commercial Development Manager Paula Davies also pointing to the exciting plans for Blackpool’s renaissance. The event was hosted at and sponsored by the fabulous Bar Pintxos em Preston. Downtown in Business
