STOCKPORT ECONOMIC FORUM FOCUSES ON COLLABORATION AS KEY TO SUCCESS

Over 100 people from Stockport’s business community attended yesterday’s (Tuesday 17^th March) Economic Breakfast held at Orbit Developments flagship Regent House, with a panel of business experts, chaired by Manchester Evening News Business Editor, Adam Jupp.

Introducing the event was Orbit Development’s Leasing Manager Rhys Owen, who set the scene highlighting many positive developments in the town including: the Red Rock leisure development, public, retail and leisure space Stockport Exchange and a £405 million of investment in accessibility of the town centre and the SEMMMs link road.

He also touched on two new initiatives in Stockport:
Place campaign is about to launch branded as ‘We Are Stockport’ and a Community Interest Company (CIC), trading as Vision Stockport includes the establishing of a BID – the designation of a Business Improvement District in Stockport town centre – which is now canvassing feedback and support.

Pictured from left to right: The morning’s host and panel of speakers:

Peter Larkham, HR Director at CDL (Cheshire Datasystems Ltd); Stockport Council chief executive Eamonn Boylan; Manchester Evening News Business Editor, Adam Jupp;  Helen White, Founder and Director of Marketing Stockport; John Cook, head of employment at SAS Daniels and Brian Bradley, a partner at Clarke Nicklin. 

The group contributed to a lively discussion around the town’s future business prospects.

Top of the agenda was the importance of a connected and collaborative business community which is helping to shape a culture of growth and success across the borough.

Location and access to many employment markets was cited as a great reason to base a business in the town. Many spoke of opportunities for bright professionals to create career paths outside Manchester city centre and do well.

Eamonn Boylan spoke of the Council’s investment activity in the town centre – to create more dwell time in a family friendly environment and refurbish much loved old buildings so Stockport’s heritage could be part of the future. “Our role is to create anchors for the private sector to build around,” he said.

Worries around broadband speed and transport were raised but initiatives to tackle them like the freshly started SEMMMs road and Get Digital Faster schemes were acknowledged.

Orbit Developments Managing Director Tony Jones said:

“It was an upbeat occasion which attracted some of the town’s most influential and high profile businesses. The mood was one of collective will to make a difference. Both the private and public sector are working together to a game-changing agenda. It’s an exciting time to be living and working in Stockport.”

Attendees enjoyed a light breakfast and the opportunity to network with other local businesses.