News

Friday 3 February 2012

Research shapes Nottingham Economic Growth Plan

The Growth Plan will help to shape the economic development of Nottingham

Research from the Economic Strategy Research Bureau (ESRB) at Nottingham Business School has helped Nottingham City Council to develop a Growth Plan that will contribute to shaping the economic development of Nottingham.

The ESRB carried out independent research and evaluation of the economic conditions that Nottingham faces. Their work has helped to shape the draft Nottingham Economic Growth Plan, which is presented as a starting point for engaging with Nottingham’s businesses to establish some key shared aims for economic growth over the next decade and beyond.

The plan outlines the actions that will be undertaken to attract investment, create jobs and resolve the complex economic challenges the city faces. It was launched at a special business summit in Nottingham’s Council House, which featured distinguished speakers and an audience of some of the city’s key business leaders.

The Growth Plan proposes seven key priority areas for attention that could make a significant difference. These include:

• Education, Skills and Training: Improving the skills of local people and helping to create more jobs for citizens
• Transport: Continuing to build on Nottingham’s award-winning integrated public transport network
• Digital Connectivity: Providing better and faster digital access
• Business Birth and Growth: Ensuring there is sufficient support in Nottingham for new business start-up and expansion
• Commercial and City Centre Development: Increasing the amount of good quality commercial premises to attract major high value service companies and retailers
• Reputation: Building on Nottingham’s strong, positive national and international profile to boost business development and inward investment
• Emerging Sectors: Supporting and encouraging the growth of emerging sectors such as life sciences and the digital economy

Cllr Jon Collins, leader, Nottingham City Council, said: “The economic growth agenda is key to Nottingham’s future prosperity. Nottingham has a lot of strengths – excellent public transport; easy access to large parts of the country; world class universities; home to the headquarters of international companies, to name but a few. The Growth Plan will build on these and help resolve some of the barriers to attracting further inward investment. Working together, the private and public sectors can position Nottingham as one the country’s most attractive cities in which to do business. New job opportunities for local people will tackle unemployment and the wider associated problems.”

Will Rossiter, head of the ESRB, said: “This work demonstrates Nottingham Trent University’s commitment to supporting local partners in addressing the economic needs of the city. It is also an important illustration of the way that our research can be used to benefit the wider community within which we live and work.”

For further information on the ESRB and its work, please contact Will Rossiter via email, or Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2875. The ESRB team also writes a regular blog, which includes commentary and updates on key national and local developments, such as a monthly summary and interpretation of the employment and unemployment figures from the Office for National Statistics.