Downtown in Business hosted a Roundtable discussion earlier this week, were the future of Lancashire was debated by business leaders from across the county.
In a discussion led by DIB Lancashire chair Rob Binns, and the Head of Marketing Lancashire Rachael McQueen, there was an overwhelming feeling that despite the recent challenges of the pandemic and world events, the county glass was certainly half-full.
Rachael highlighted the work of DIB members Conlon Construction at the Harris Museum, the train station master plan being undertaken by BDP, the garden village project in Lancaster and the Eden of the North as initiatives that would help to drive Lancashire’s economy forward.
Alban Cassidy (Cassidy & Ashton) and Andrew Dewhurst (Maple Grove) pointed to the Stoneygate development, the regeneration of Preston market, and the Harris centre as further evidence of positive activity; whilst Lancashire tech entrepreneur Luke Massey, whose business is headquartered in London, and restaurant owner Anthony Smith, welcomed Preston’s recent success in attracting brands such as Flannels, Wagamama’s, and Mowgli.
However, there was frustration around the room that this positivity was not being matched by the county’s political leadership. Massey and others pointed to Manchester, Liverpool, and Birmingham having ‘champions’ in the shape of Andy Burnham, Steve Rotheram, and Andy Street; and complained that the recent Levelling Up White Paper was still focussed on those areas that have a more cohesive and co-ordinated political approach.
Nonetheless, the general mood for the county’s future was optimistic, with DIB’s Commercial Development Manager Paula Davies also pointing to the exciting plans for Blackpool’s renaissance. The event was hosted at and sponsored by the fabulous Bar Pintxos in Preston.
