MIPIM UK set to be first test of the strength of the Midlands Engine
THE first real test of the competitiveness of the Midlands Engine is set to take place later this month when the various stakeholders line-up alongside each other at the national real estate exhibition, MIPIM UK.
Representatives from the Engine and the West Midlands Combined Authority will be putting on a united front at the event next week to showcase the region’s investment offer.
Meanwhile, stakeholders from Greater Birmingham have announced they will be using the event, which takes place at Olympia in London between October 19-21, to showcase the city’s £1bn Curzon Investment Plan, which identifies how the area intends to capitalise on the arrival of the HS2 high speed rail link.
In many ways, the show will be a dress rehearsal for the appearance of the various stakeholders at the global MIPIM event in Cannes next March. The annual event is the largest, most influential real estate showcase in the world.
The show will see the Midlands come together on an unprecedented scale to exhibit £14bn worth of investment opportunities to the show’s 20,000-strong delegate network.
Firstly, however, MIPIM UK will see the various partners highlight the many opportunities currently available in Birmingham, Solihull and the Black Country, with the inter-connectivity of the area receiving a strong focus.
Cllr John Clancy, leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “Following overseas success at MIPIM in recent years, Greater Birmingham’s opportunities will be showcased nationally at MIPIM UK for the first time. With a number of prominent development opportunities in the pipeline, we’re confident MIPIM UK will provide genuine investment prospects, capitalising on the potential of major schemes like Birmingham Smithfield and the Curzon Investment Plan, which will transform Birmingham in the wake of HS2.
“By working in partnership across the region, we can get in front of the right people; ramp up Greater Birmingham’s economic resurgence and drive forward the local economy.”
Cllr Ian Courts, deputy leader and Solihull’s cabinet member for managed growth, who will be attending MIPIM alongside representatives from the Black Country LEP and Birmingham City Council, said: “MIPIM UK offers the opportunity to showcase UK Central Solihull’s ambitions and vision for future development. The ‘Hub’ area, incorporating the growth plans of assets including Birmingham Airport, the National Exhibition Centre and Jaguar Land Rover, combined with future development at Arden Cross and the High Speed Rail Interchange, provides a location with strong potential for economic growth and a compelling investment destination.”
Cllr John Reynolds, Wolverhampton’s cabinet member for city economy said the Black Country was home to a number of attractive future investment propositions, as well as delivering the most successful Enterprise Zone in the country – i54, home of JLR’s £1bn Engine Manufacturing Centre and others – and the £55m revamp of Wolverhampton’s Westside.
“MIPIM UK is a chance to place the Black Country and Greater Birmingham in front of the most influential players from all property sectors, and secure the interest we need to reach our potential to the fullest,” he said.
The UK conference will gather industry leaders to discuss the property market landscape post-Brexit, kicking off with a keynote address entitled ‘What Brexit really means for UK property’.
Devolution will feature in the programme on Thursday October 20 as Liz Peace, chair of the Curzon Urban Regeneration Company, chairs a panel discussion featuring representatives from the Midlands Engine. Speakers will include Cllr Bob Sleigh, chairman of the West Midlands Combined Authority; Cllr John Clancy, and Tim Johnson, strategic director at City of Wolverhampton Council.
