November 15th, 2010
Working together to achieve Bradford’s regeneration ambitions will be the subject of a major Council-sponsored event this week.
Delegates from businesses, community and voluntary groups will examine priorities at Bradford Council’s annual regeneration summit.
It will provide updates on schemes and outline how they can work together to improve the local economy.
Coun David Green, Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration and economy, said: “Our aim now is to create a new focus for regeneration in Bradford which delivers immediate and long-term improvements for people living in the district.
“This year’s conference will set out how we plan to achieve that by working closely with businesses and other partners to agree specific roles and responsibilities aimed at growing our local economy.
“We have a thriving enterprise culture, a strong manufacturing sector and a diverse district – these are assets we can capitalise on and build our plans around.”
Barra Mac Ruairi, the council’s strategic director for regeneration, said: “Given the reductions in Government funding as a council we must continue to work in innovative ways to secure finance and maximise the leverage of all the investment in the district. Bradford’s regeneration is a team effort, public, private and voluntary sectors all working together for the same goal”
Bradford Chamber of Commerce chief executive Sandy Needham said: “Our members are looking forward to finding out more about what is being done to tackle the challenges the district faces and how they can play their part in the response. Everyone wants to raise Bradford’s economic prosperity and it is clear a unified approach between businesses and groups from other sectors will offer the best way of achieving that.”
It takes place the week after Westfield boss Peter Miller told Bradford Property Forum that he remained committed to the stalled £320 million retail development on Broadway.
Mr Miller, chief executive officer of the Australian-based developer, said Westfield would retain close contact with Bradford Council to investigate ways of moving the scheme forward.
But he declined to be pinned down to a timescale, saying that it would go ahead when Westfield thought it viable. He said: “We recognise the importance of this scheme to Bradford’s pride and the city’s economic future. You don’t want a hole in the ground and we don’t want one either. There has to be a solution somewhere and we’ll crack every nut to find a way forward.”
The summit will be at the Pop Up Artspace, Centenary Square.
Source: Telegraph & Argus
