Chester set for MIPIM bow
CHESTER is preparing to showcase its business opportunities and developments at MIPIM, the world’s largest property convention.
Chester Growth Partnership – formerly Chester Renaissance – is sending a delegation to the event next month which attracts around 2,000 exhibitors from 93 countries. The annual event akes place in Cannes on the French Riviera between March 15-18 and includes exhibitions, networking events and conference sessions.
Guy Butler, chair of the Chester Growth Partnership, said: “Chester is well known as a heritage city but it’s also a business centre that’s home to large company headquarters, growing enterprises and significant infrastructure investment.
“MIPIM is the number one event in the property calendar and the place where cities – including our neighbours in Manchester and Liverpool – promote themselves to investors, corporate end-users and professionals from other sectors.
“We are hosting an event and will be working as advocates for Chester. We have an investment map which shows that for over 20 years Chester has been home to a cluster of major financial services businesses.
“These have been joined more recently by Bristol Myers Squibb, Tetra Pak and Virgin Money. UK Trade and Investment have also recognized Chester as part of the North West Financial Centre of Excellence alongside Liverpool and Manchester.”
Butler said current investments in the city worth £700m are under way, with more in the pipeline. Projects include the regeneration of the city’s Central Business Quarter has begun with the completion of One City Place.
By 2028, it is planned that Chester will offer up to 500,000 sq. ft. of Grade A office space – housed in 10 buildings – creating around 3,500 jobs. The 7.5 acre Central Business Quarter site will also include 200 homes, restaurants, leisure facilities and car parking for the station, office occupiers and residents.
Sally Pilott, a property lawyer at DTM Legal and a member of the Chester Growth Partnership’s investment team, said: “Everyone can see solid progress being delivered in Chester.
“There’s much more to come that will help ensure the city remains an attractive place to live and work. We are not going to keep that story to ourselves and MIPIM will give us a good platform.”
The private sector delegation is 100% self-funded and includes representatives from housebuilder Redrow, DTM Legal, Glenbrook property and Influential, the communications agency. It has also been backed by Marketing Cheshire and Muse Developments, which has delivered One City Place.
