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Economic Development

Plan to make Birmingham the º£½ÇÊÓÆµ 'festivals capital'

Push on major events coming to the city as part of plans to boost investment

Nile Rodgers headlined the Sunday night line-up to bring the 2013 Mostly Jazz Festival to a close

Birmingham is to sell itself as Britain’s “festivals capital” in a new drive to attract more tourists to the city’s blue riband events.

A big promotional push will highlight what the council said was Birmingham’s “distinctive, ambitious and high quality” offerings.

Organisers of events like the Fusion pop event and the International Dance Festival will link up with business leaders and city marketing chiefs.

They will be asked to increase grass roots participation and attract a wide audience, in return for council support and funding.

The scheme was being revealed today by council leader Sir Albert Bore.

Deputy leader Coun Ian Ward (Lab, Shard End) said: “The first meeting is later this month.

“We will compile a full calendar of events, see what needs developing and where the gaps are.

“We will market the festivals as a package with city dressing, support and funding. We are basing this on a successful strategy developed in Rotterdam.