Last month’s UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum in Leeds once again demonstrated the scale of ambition that exists across Britain’s regions.
Thousands of investors, developers, local authority leaders and business organisations gathered to discuss billions of pounds worth of regeneration projects, infrastructure investment and economic development opportunities.
The message was clear. Investors remain keen to back places with strong leadership, clear strategies and ambitious plans for growth.
For Lancashire, that presents both an opportunity and a challenge.
The county possesses many of the ingredient’s investors are looking for. It boasts world-class advanced manufacturing, a thriving energy sector, leading universities, internationally recognised aerospace expertise and attractive locations for commercial and residential development.
There are also exciting regeneration projects emerging across the county. Blackpool continues its remarkable transformation, Preston is driving forward significant city centre investment, and towns across Lancashire are exploring new opportunities linked to housing, employment land and transport connectivity.
Yet UKREiiF also highlighted the increasing importance of collaboration.
The places attracting the greatest attention are often those that speak with a united voice, present clear investment propositions and demonstrate long-term political and economic stability.
That is why conversations around devolution, local government reform and strategic leadership matter so much.
At a Downtown in Business roundtable during UKREiiF, business leaders, local authority representatives and political figures discussed how emerging devolution arrangements could help unlock new opportunities across Lancashire and Cheshire. The consensus was clear: investors are attracted to certainty, ambition and leadership.
The challenge now is to convert opportunity into action.
The competition for investment is intense. Every region in the country is seeking to attract funding, jobs and development. Standing still is not an option.
The encouraging news is that Lancashire enters this next phase from a position of considerable strength. The county has outstanding businesses, skilled people, excellent universities and a growing reputation in key sectors ranging from advanced manufacturing to clean energy.
The task for business and civic leaders alike is to ensure that Lancashire’s voice is heard, its opportunities are promoted and its ambitions are matched by the political structures needed to deliver them.
UKREiiF showed that investors are looking beyond London and towards Britain’s regions. Lancashire must now make sure it is at the front of the queue.
