Plymouth City Council is vowing a £1billion pipeline of capital projects will not be scrapped because of the coronavirus pandemic – and will be vital to refloat the city’s economy.
The local authority is also working with business groups in the city on forming an action plan to help the economy recover from the effects of the lockdown. It will be called Resurgam.
Council leader Tudor Evans said the city is facing its biggest economic challenge since the Blitz, but stressed: “I am certain we can rise to the challenge.”
He told the authority’s Cabinet the council will be working with the Plymouth Growth Board and other partnerships to build a series of sector action plans that tailor council support specifically to the needs of business.
He said: “Over the past few years we have made huge strides in creating and sustaining jobs and prosperity. We have great partnerships across the city. We need to harness the energy and expertise that we have built up - not just from within the council - but across key business organisations and companies to work together to make sure Plymouth is ready to re-emerge from the lockdown.
“We will also be looking at how the council’s own economic footprint can help restart the economy through our procurement, capital programme and projects pipeline. If we can get these restarted quickly it will be an immediate and massive boost to the economy.”
Before the lockdown there were £300million worth of development projects being delivered across the city, with a pipeline of £1billion.
Developments approved in the past six years are worth £1.5 billion, of which almost 70% had been finished or under construction at the end of March 2020.
Most Read
The council has also stressed its role as “economic first responder” has helped soften the blow of the lockdown for companies.
Its business team has worked directly with the 3,800 enterprises which have benefited from the business grants schemes. So far it has helped direct £37million of Government cash to the city’s businesses.
The council has also been heavily involved in lobbying for extra support alongside the Devon Chamber of Commerce, The Federation of Small Businesses and Plymouth Manufacturers Group.
It has also helped the city’s fishing industry by lobbying for more funds and supporting the successful Call4 Fish initiative.
It also set up an online trading platform Shop4Plymouth connecting retail businesses with new customers.
Cllr Evans said: “During this time an incredible dedicated team of professionals have worked tirelessly to support our businesses from the very smallest to the very largest.
“Through their endeavours we have made a real difference to so many people at their time of greatest need.”
Don’t miss
He added: “Recovery is something the entire world is grappling with. But we need to remind ourselves there was so much Plymouth was getting right before the lockdown.
“This is a chance to pause, to consider and to reset, to build on our success, keep confidence high across our strong sectors but to also think about what new normal will look like, what new ways of working and new demands we need to all start thinking about.”
How to contact William Telford and Business Live
Business Live's South West Business Reporter is William Telford. William has more than a decade's experience reporting on the business scene in Plymouth and the South West. He is based in Plymouth but covers the entire region.
To contact William: Email: william.telford@reachplc.com - Phone: 01752 293116 - Mob: 07584 594052 - Twitter: - LinkedIn: - Facebook:
Stay in touch: BusinessLive newsletters have been re-designed to make them even better. We send morning bulletins straight to your inbox on the latest news, views and opinion in the South West. Get our breaking news alerts and weekly sector reviews too. Sign up now - it's free and it only takes a minute. To sign up for Business Live's daily newsletters click .
And visit the Business Live South West LinkedIn page
Richard Stevens, chair of Plymouth Growth Board said: “Plymouth City Council’s plans to help kick-start the economy are well founded in pragmatism and ambition. I believe that the plan strikes the right balance of public and private partnership having outlined meaningful interventions that will aid economic recovery and help businesses get back on their feet.”
Jonathan Keable, chair of the Plymouth Federation of Small Businesses, said the Resurgam project aimed “to get our businesses, community and economy thriving again”.
He added: “In the spirit of true Mayflower pioneers, Plymouth City Council continues to lead our city through these difficult times, and will help return Plymouth to a prosperous future.”
Stuart Elford, chair of Devon and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, said: “The chamber is delighted to be working with Plymouth City Council on a bold and far reaching plan to emerge from the current crisis quickly, safely and stronger than ever.”