Liverpool’s economic blueprint unveiled

CITY leaders today revealed a blueprint for the future development of the Liverpool economy.

‘People, Place and Prosperity – an Economic Prospectus’ was unveiled at the city’s Arena and Convention Centre to an invited audience of key private and public sector business leaders and stakeholders.

Former BNFL boss, Mike Parker, now chairman of Liverpool’s Economic Development Company, led the showcase, and was joined by council leaders at the launch.

He said: “Liverpool Vision’s task is to help create the conditions in which business thrives and jobs are created and we face significant challenges.

“We launch this Economic Prospectus at a time when competition is already tough and is becoming tougher.  At the other side of the recession the world will be very different and    international markets will become even more important while technological change will become even faster.

“Liverpool though has substantial strengths and opportunities for growth with some unique advantages such as the potential for sustainable energy, an exceptional culture offer , important knowledge specialisms and the ability to make even greater improvement to its environment.”

He said Liverpool had made “huge strides” in recent times, but must not rest on its laurels.

“We need to keep changing, because there are still areas for significant improvement; worklessness, business density, inward investment and the image of the city, both nationally and internationally,” he added.

The Prospectus identifies four pillars of ambition for the Liverpool of the future:

• Quality place – the drive to be a city of exceptional quality of place and of culture, maintaining the momentum of European Capital of Culture and the improving perceptions of the city, including emphasis on the Knowledge Crescent and Northshore and North Liverpool

• A vibrant economy – safeguarding and developing the remaining manufacturing base and expanding services and knowledge based activities, building on the city’s strengths in financial and professional services, digital and creative industries, the port, airport and bio-technologies

• Global connectivity – creating, maintaining and improving our economic relationships across the world in trade, inward investment, visitors, students and international knowledge networks. Showcasing the city’s opportunities at the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai.

• Thriving people – the people of Liverpool, the people who left the city and now work, live or study elsewhere but who may now be attracted back; and skilled, entrepreneurial and mobile people anywhere in the world who would find Liverpool one of the best places to invest, work and live in. 

Mr Parker added: “The Prospectus is not a strategy but a framework of drivers for change which sets out those opportunities which have the greatest potential to drive growth and create wealth.

Mr Bradley, leader, Liverpool City Council said: “When Liverpool Vision was established just over a year ago we wanted it to do more than just build on the successful regeneration of the previous decade.

“Liverpool needs faster and bigger economic growth, an ever-increasing international presence to create the right conditions to attract business, create new business and for those businesses to thrive.”

To access a copy of the, please go to: http://www.liverpoolvision.co.uk/prospectus/prospectus.asp