The Chamberlain News

Plans announced for city and region at MIPIM

Plans have been announced for the presence of Greater Birmingham and the Midlands Engine at MIPIM real estate fairs in London and Cannes.

“Greater Birmingham regions”, as they are described by Marketing Birmingham, will join forces to showcase their investment offer at national real estate show MIPIM UK for the first time. (19 – 21 October 2016, Olympia, London).

The Greater Birmingham delegation will then also be part of an inaugural Midlands Engine presence at MIPIM 2017, Cannes; the world’s largest real estate showcase. The collaboration will see the Midlands come together on an unprecedented scale to exhibit £14 billion worth of investment opportunities, as the region introduces a new ‘Midlands Pavilion’ to MIPIM and its 20,000 strong delegate network.

At MIPIM UK, a range of multi-million pound development opportunities will be highlighted by Birmingham, Solihull and the Black Country, with connectivity forming the central theme. The event will be the first time Greater Birmingham’s £1 billion Curzon Investment Plan – designed to leverage the opportunities of HS2 – is promoted amongst the country’s leading investors, agents and developers.

Cllr John Clancy, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said:

Following overseas success at MIPIM in recent years, Greater Birmingham’s opportunities will be showcased nationally at MIPIM UK for the first time. With a number of prominent development opportunities in the pipeline, we’re confident MIPIM UK will provide genuine investment prospects, capitalising on the potential of major schemes like Birmingham Smithfield and the Curzon Investment Plan, which will transform Birmingham in the wake of HS2.

By working in partnership across the region, we can get in front of the right people; ramp up Greater Birmingham’s economic resurgence and drive forward the local economy.

Cllr Ian Courts, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Managed Growth at Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council, who will be attending MIPIM alongside representatives from the Black Country LEP and Birmingham City Council, said:

MIPIM UK offers the opportunity to showcase UK Central Solihull’s ambitions and vision for future development. The ‘Hub’ area, incorporating the growth plans of assets including Birmingham Airport, the National Exhibition Centre and Jaguar Land Rover, combined with future development at Arden Cross and the High Speed Rail Interchange, provides a location with strong potential for economic growth and a compelling investment destination.

Councillor John Reynolds, Cabinet member for City Economy, City of Wolverhampton Council, added:

We’re casting the net even further with our presence at MIPIM UK this year. The Black Country is home to a number of attractive future investment propositions, as well as delivering the most successful Enterprise Zone in the country, including the £55million opportunity to revamp Wolverhampton’s Westside.

MIPIM UK is a chance to place the Black Country and Greater Birmingham in front of the most influential players from all property sectors, and secure the interest we need to reach our potential to the fullest.

Devolution will feature in the MIPIM UK programme on Thursday 20 October as Liz Peace, Chair of the Curzon Urban Regeneration Company, chairs a panel discussion featuring representatives on behalf the Midlands Engine. Speakers will include Cllr Bob Sleigh, Chairman of the West Midlands Combined Authority; Cllr John Clancy, Leader of Birmingham City Council and Tim Johnson, Strategic Director at City of Wolverhampton Council.

Pic: aerial visual of HS2 Curzon Street entrance.