Regional spotlight shines on Nottingham at MIPIM

THERE was big interest in the regions this year at MIPIM – and investors and developers were keen to talk to Nottingham leaders to seek out opportunities.

This was the message from Coun Nick McDonald, portfolio holder for jobs and growth, who was part of the Team Nottingham contingent at MIPIM, the world’s largest global property event.

The 2014 MIPIM message that London is “overheating” in terms of opportunity for investment has filtered through to the national and international property sector, he said.

“We have definitely had interest from investors who are looking outside London for new opportunities,” said Coun McDonald.

“And the timing was perfect, as we have a number of sites in the city which we could talk to them about. There was real appetite for those sites. Nottingham has bucked the market trend and is attracting real interest.

“There were a number of important conversations this week which can lead to developers being interested in our Nottingham sites which will create jobs and growth for the city – which is vital for the local economy.”

Nottingham’s message at MIPIM was ‘Opportunity City’ –a city poised for massive potential, thanks to its £1 billion investment in infrastructure, regeneration and development, opening doors to national and international investors and developers.

Team Nottingham, the public-private partnership, will be speaking to investors and developers to help promote Nottingham as a prime city for investment.

Investment in infrastructure has already created a number of new and exciting commercial opportunities with newly released market-ready city and Enterprise Zone sites.

Councillor Jon Collins, leader of Nottingham City Council, one of the Team Nottingham partner organisations, said: “MIPIM is a major opportunity for Nottingham and the city is now at a pivotal point with development opportunities, ambition, and a range of financial and business support available.

“London is recognised as a place which is ‘overheating’ in terms of offering prospects for future development, and we know that Nottingham offers an attractive alternative to investors.

“Life sciences was an important message for MIPIM 2015 because Nottingham is a leading centre for pharmaceutical discovery and medical technologies.”

At MIPIM 2015, Nottingham City Council announced its purchase of a stake in Blueprint, the city-based developer which specialises in sustainable build.

Nottingham also announced that land for the expansion of the city’s bioscience industry through the purchase of land west of Plough Lane.

It also launched the marketing campaign for the Nottingham Enterprise Zone – an event hosted by Tim Garratt of Innes England, Mark Chivers of Boots along with David Ralph of D2N2 and David Bishop, deputy chief executive of Nottingham City Council.

Nottingham was also part of the regional line up of leaders who came together for the Power of 3 event at MIPIM – a new regional approach which puts the spotlight on the East Midlands. Leaders from local authorities in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham joined the event – hosted by East Midlands Airport.

Nottingham also hosted an important panel Q & A which looked at devolution and regeneration for the Midlands. Coun Collins was on the panel with Sir Albert Bore, leader of Birmingham City Council and Nick Ebbs of Blueprint.