Heseltine to press Liverpool’s case in London
LORD Heseltine is to spell out the case for investment in Liverpool at a conference being jointly held by property firm GVA and by economic development company Liverpool Vision in London tomorrow.
The chairman of the regional growth fund, who has just completed a major review into the city’s long-term prospects alongside former Tesco chief Sir Terry Leahy will be the keynote speaker at a conference being held at The Royal Society of Medicine at One Wimpole Street in Mayfair tomorrow morning.
The report’s proposals included the development of Liverpool North docks, support for the city’s expanding commercial district and a directly-elected Merseyside mayor to reinvigorate the city-region.
Lord Heseltine said: “Liverpool has been successfully transforming itself during the last decade, a period in which its economy has grown faster than that of the UK.
“Not only does Liverpool look different now, it feels different and this is reflected in the confidence it has shown during European Capital of Culture and in exhibiting on a global stage at the 2010 World Expo.
“Ambition remains high and Liverpool is looking to build on its recent achievements. However to really make the most of its assets Liverpool needs a mayor. One with real power that can make the most of its global brand and to create the conditions where business and enterprise can thrive. “
Max Steinberg, chief executive of Liverpool Vision, said the event was part of an ongoing plan to raise the city’s brand in London, North America and in China.
“We are already aiming to turn the City of Liverpool into the UK capital of enterprise through our hosting of the Global Entrepreneurship Congress next March,” he said.
“We are also working with a range of partners on implementing our comprehensive long term regeneration framework for North Liverpool and the next phase of city centre regeneration.”
David Sayer, regional senior director at GVA, said: “The city’s potential as the UK’s leading regional centre for culture, retail and science-based higher education cannot be underestimated. With this in mind, Liverpool presents an exceptional longer term investment proposition. The short- term challenges, however, indicate a slow initial growth rate.
“The office market is likely to benefit from the relatively low level of floorspace availability combined with a tight development pipeline. This should ensure oversupply is averted, despite an expected weakness of the occupier market.”
