Last week, Downtown in Business in association with Invest Liverpool City Region hosted the inaugral Mersey Power Towns conference in St Helens Town Hall. The event attracted business and local government leaders from across the city region eager to explore investment and growth opportunities.
Downtown in Business spoke to newly elected councillor Gary Edgerton, the portfolio holder for Business, Highways and Transport on St Helen’s Council about his experience of the event and what his key insights were.
“Events like this are a great opportunity for us to bring together industry and business leaders to hear about the transformational place-based programmes and projects that are happening right here in St Helens Borough, and to share best practice and insights to make the most out of opportunities happening right across the Liverpool City Region.
“Our priority is to ensure that the significant investments that are being made in our borough and wider region are having real benefits for the people who live and work here, not only upon completion but throughout the lifetime of the programmes and projects. It was encouraging to see so many local businesses in attendance who were keen to explore the many supply chain opportunities coming from these initiatives and I hope that conversations that were taking place on the day lead to positive outcomes in the weeks and months ahead.
“During his presentation, Sean Traynor, Director of Strategic Growth highlighted how St Helens is the birthplace of multiple world firsts, from pioneering rail and canal infrastructure to innovations in glass production and how, today, we are building on our proud heritage by delivering transformational projects in transport, life sciences, town centre regeneration, advanced manufacturing and logistics. Together these projects have the potential to re-enforce St Helens’ position as a centre of innovation and enterprise.
“Collaborating with business, industry, the public sector and investors through events like the Mersey Power Towns session is an opportunity for us to build on this potential and benefit from the expertise, ideas and ambition that are present all across our region.
“I was delighted to meet so many people who share our passion for St Helens Borough and are committed to supporting our future success. I have no doubt they will help to shape the future of our borough for the better.
“I look forward to future networking opportunities with Downtown in Business and to connecting our businesses with the exciting opportunities that are coming out of our investments.”
