A four-point plan to boost Bristol’s economic growth will be unveiled next week at the high-powered Bristol’s 
Bright Future conference.
Global property consultants Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL), which has an office in the city, has identified four key areas that it believes will consolidate and build on the Bristol’s position – transport, infrastructure, planning for a growing population, and attitude.
The plan will be highlighted at the conference by Ned Cussen, a long-standing director at JLL in Bristol and one of the foremost commentators on the city’s property and development markets.
The conference will gauge Bristol’s growth potential as the UK starts to come out of the deepest recession for generations.
Bristol is widely expected to grow faster than most other provincial UK cities. According to a report by Capital Economics, one of the world’s most influential think tanks, it is is already one of the best performing cities in the country in terms of wealth, employment and availability of housing. The number of people in work in the city is set to increase from 234,000 to 266,000 over the next eight years and the high concentration of specialist technology firms and the legacy of the aviation industry means it is blessed with a highly-skilled and educated workforce.
Bristol’s Bright Future conference, sponsored by BNP Paribas Real Estate and organised by Elaine Brown from Elaine Brown Projects in partnership with Business West, will examine the reasons behind Bristol’s potential.
A follow up to the highly successful Bristol’s Bright Future conference which took place in April 2011, the event will identify the foundations that need to be in place in order to ensure economic success.
Ahead of the conference, Mr Cussen said: “Bristol is frighteningly good. We have an impressive breadth of achievement and this brings with it incredible opportunities. But there are some areas which are holding back our progress.
“Accessibility and connectivity is a fundamental pre-requisite of a vibrant economy so number one on the agenda must be transport.
“The Metro Bus proposal in my view is simply playing catch-up to a position which we should probably have achieved 20 years ago. Transport is a constantly moving picture and we should be reaching out to what is next on the horizon.”
He argues that infrastructure is also central to driving economic development. Bristol has lacked any major infrastructure development over the last 20 years, and there is little in the pipeline.
“New projects are needed to drive prosperity. Take for example the explosion of development which followed the expansion of the railway network – Bristol needs to embrace and reap the benefits from these types of projects. The South Bristol link and Northern Arc are just two which could have a major impact on the city’s economic success.”
Mr Cussen will also argue that politicians need to address the growing population and the dilemmas this brings. Without this forward planning, the city won’t be able to make provision for future generations.
“There are some unpalatable decisions that lie ahead but the reality remains that the population is growing and we need a logical and planned strategy for housing and employment. In the medium to long term this is likely to involve building on some Green Belt areas but it is impossible to deliver what we need within the city boundaries.”
He will also argue that attitude is an important part of the mix and will call on the silent majority to stand up for what the city deserves.
“Maybe it’s complacency, or perhaps life and circumstances aren’t bad enough to start a revolution. Either way, the silent majority doesn’t react strongly enough so the city is left in a situation where small self -interested groups are taking the lead, whether it be a new road, a stadium or whatever.
“We quite simply have the worst sports facility of any major city in the UK. Swansea and Cardiff and both reaping the benefits of the new stadia that they have delivered and it’s surely no coincidence that both clubs have risen to the premier league.
“Similarly, Leeds has just finished a new arena and built it in the teeth of one of the deepest recessions we’ve known. That’s because the people of Leeds demanded it. Bristol is now the only major city in Britain without one.
“Let’s get some attitude and turn the silent majority into a voice that ensures Bristol gets the place it deserves on the national and international stage and delivers the foundations for prosperity and success.”
The conference will start with West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) chief executive Paul Wilson explaining why Bristol is so well placed to thrive. The conference will also highlight some of the key sectors and projects contributing to the region’s success.
Bonnie Dean, chief executive of the Bristol & Bath Science Park, will look at the science and technology sector. The South West supports seven out of the eight great technologies as identified by Business Innovation and Skills Secretary David Willetts which are essential in order to propel the UK to future growth.
These include Big Data (the power of computing and data handling), Robotics and Autonomous Systems, Synthetic Biology, Regenerative Medicine, agri –science, advanced materials and energy. The only sector not currently represented in the region is Space. This clearly demonstrates that the region has a very broad science and research base.
Bonnie recently commented at the second anniversary event of the Bristol and Bath Science Park. “The South West has all the ingredients for a vibrant science and technology eco-system and the Bristol & Bath Science Park provides a collaborative space that brings organisations and ideas together.
Bristol over the years has achieved world-wide recognition for microchip and mobile phone technology but does Bristol really get the recognition it deserves for some of its other successes?
BAE Systems has supported UK Sport through a technology partnership with a value of £2.3M. This Partnership is managed from Bristol and has supported GB athletes in going for gold since 2008. As has a small company called Crux Product Design who created and produced the distinctive red cycling helmet as worn by our hugely successful track cycling team at last year’s London Olympic Games.
Nick Sturge, Director of SETsquared and the Engine Shed will talk about high-tech growth. The Engine Shed will be a showcase for the region's creativity, innovation and engineering excellence whilst SETsquared supports the growth and success of new high- growth knowledge based business.
Paul Appleby, Chair of the Local Enterprise Partnership Creative Sector Group will discuss the Creative sector, how it’s growing nationally and the particular strengths of Bristol. He will also expand on the opportunities in the Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone especially for micro businesses and young people.
The Gromit Unleashed project has achieved phenomenal success with its sculpture trail, exhibition and auction this year, both in raising awareness and money for Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal, the Bristol Children’s Hospital charity. It was also a fine example of using a well-known global brand to promote a tourist destination.
Louise Stewart, Director of Strategy and Development from Visit England will discuss the importance of tourism to economic growth through inward investment, image, perception and export value. She will also articulate the positive impact Bristol tourism will have on the quality of life for local people, potential employees and graduate retention for the coming decade.
A further example of how Bristol will take to the global tourism stage will be explained through a project update given by Nick Hounsfield and Tobin Coles, co-directors and founders of The Wave UK, the world’s first inland surfing lake due to start development next year.
To register for the Bristol’s Bright Future, visit www.bristolsbrightfuture.co.uk
The event is being sponsored by BNP Paribas Real Estate and Business Showcase South West 2014.
