Leicester and Leicestershire are showing a new confidence on the back of recent football successes, the Richard III discovery and hundreds of millions of pounds of investment in buildings and infrastructure.
That was the message city Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby shared at the launch of a “Healthy growth, healthy people and healthy business” theme for the city and county at next year’s MIPIM property conference in Cannes.
He spoke as the local “Team Leicester” delegation, to next spring’s global property gathering, outlined its plans and the opportunities it would be promoting
The city’s IBM offices – itself an example of growing inward investment into the city – hosted the “Team Leicester” event as part of the Leicester Business Festival.
Team Leicester hopes to build on the theme of the area as a centre for European space research and investment, with work due to start soon on £100 million-plus Leicester Space Park bringing industry and academia together.
Members of the city and county’s public and private sector will be out in force at the property showcase on the French Riviera next March, talking to potential investors from around the world.
The 2020 health theme will highlight the business opportunities around the city’s football, rugby, cricket and basketball clubs, as well as Loughborough University’s place as a global centre of sports excellence.
It will also use Leicester City’s new £100 million training ground going up in the north of the county as an example of what is being achieved here.
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The health theme fits in with the city and county’s industrial strategy to create a “healthy environment for growth” and to be carbon neutral by 2050.
Sir Peter said Leicester boasted the biggest economy in the East Midlands, growing at a faster rate than London and Birmingham, with a property sector that was thriving beyond all expectations.
Investment remains strong right across the area with total transactions in 2018 up by 61 per cent on the previous year while speculative developments are starting to address the need for good quality, city centre office accommodation.
Her said: “Leicester is a brilliant city to live and work in and a great place to do business.
“It is a city that is proud of its history and excited about its future.
“Alongside growing tourism, fantastic retail and access to beautiful countryside on its doorstep, the area is home to three world-class universities renowned for expertise, innovation and the high calibre of their graduates.
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“We have an exciting vision for economic growth which has attracted major investment into the city in recent years and seen Leicester’s international reputation grow.
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“Our vision now is to sustain a healthy climate for growth and economic prosperity that will help ensure that people and businesses in Leicester continue to flourish.”
Leicester lawyer Richard Osborn, who sits on the Team Leicester board, said the take-up of both office and industrial space in the city and surrounding county was above average, while office rents rose to a new high in 2018.
Rob McGuinn, who chairs the Team Leicester partnership, said: “Leicester is outstripping many of the 海角视频’s major cities in terms of development and investment.
“We are witnessing an incredible surge in commercial property development, not only in the city but also in the surrounding county, particularly where logistics has a key role – unsurprisingly, given our outstanding central location.
“Being at the centre of the property sector, we, in Team Leicester, know there is still masses of untapped potential in this area.
“Rubbing shoulders in Cannes with business people that can capitalise on these for the mutual benefit of the region and business, is what we aim to do.
“Overall, Leicester is an extremely healthy place in which to invest from an investment, lifestyle, and commercial perspective.
“And that’s the message we are intending to get across to the global audience from countries around the world, in Cannes.”
Joe Levy is managing director at Leicester student and PRS developer Bradgate Estates – Team Leicester’s headline partner.
He said: “Bradgate Estates is a family owned property development company based in the Midlands that specialises in high end student and PRS blocks.
“Having already developed a number of city centre student and high-end residential accommodation, we are well truly embedded in the Leicester property scene and find it to be an outstanding place to invest in every aspect, from the relationships with the planning authorities to the consultancy and professional services that all have a part to play.
“Leicester really does operate as a ‘team’. And everyone benefits.
“We would be delighted to speak to any property sector business or investors to share our experience of how healthy a place Leicester is to invest.”