Downtown in Business hosted its third annual ‘Talking ‘Bout Regeneration’ conference at the Lowry Hotel, Manchester on Thursday 8th February 2024.

Over 100 delegates heard contributions from local authority executives from across the country, alongside business leaders from across the property industry – and the emphasis was very much on the importance of building genuine and effective public-private sector partnerships.

The Chief Executives from Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle and Wolverhamprton City Councils, and Executive Directors from Liverpool and Birmingham, presented a series of upbeat messages, outlining the development opportunities in their different places – whilst acknowledging some key economic and financial challenges.

Jessica Bowles, the Strategic Policy Director for Bruntwood, and Phil Mayall, Managing Director of Muse, offered their views from the property sectors perspective, whilst ex-England football international Trevor Steven, now the mental health Ambassador for Causeway Technologies, and Jo Philips, former adviser to Paddy Ashdown and Bob Geldof, offered their thoughts on social value and place making.

From the world of politics, Salford city mayor Paul Dennett, and West Yorkshire regional mayor Tracy Brabin outlined their ambitions – whilst the audience was inspired and entertained in equal measure by the co-founder of Purple Bricks, now owner of Larne Football Club, Kenny Bruce.