Why Cannes we not promote city?
A business leader says he is disappointed Leicester and Leicestershire will have no official presence at the world's biggest property show.
Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP), the agency which oversees economic development in the city and county, says it does not have the funding to attend the annual four-day Mipim event in Cannes.
Business leaders claim having a public sector presence in the south of France in the past helped attract the investment behind the £25 million Colton Square office complex in the city.
Prospect Leicestershire, the body which LLEP replaced, sent two officials last year at a cost of £5,000 to the public purse.
Duncan Green, partner at Pick Everard, of Leicester, which is attending this year's conference and has done so for many years, said: "I would have loved to have had a Leicestershire-based public sector body to have got behind, as I believe a number of other private sector firms would have.
"This is what's happening in the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire and is what happened with Prospect Leicestershire."
Andrew Bacon, LLEP chairman, said the agency had decided to miss this year's event, but planned to attend in 2013. He said this would give the organisation more time to develop a strong strategy aimed at attracting investment to the city and county.
"At the time we were having to plan this we didn't have the funds available," he said. "But at the end of the day there's no point in attending unless you have the propositions to promote. We will have next year.
"It's important that our local businesses speak up for the area. They can do an excellent job."
Mr Green will lead a three-person delegation from Pick Everard, which is based in Charles Street. Other county businesses due to attend Mipim (Marché International des Professionnels d'Immobilier) – which takes place from March 6 to 9 – are vehicle testing specialists Mira, based near Hinckley, and Raynsway Properties, of Syston.
It is believed representatives of leading accountancy and law firms in the city and county are also due to attend the event.
At last year's event Prospect revealed plans to create up to 1,500 jobs at Donington Park as part of a proposal to redevelop the legendary racing circuit.
Nottingham and Derby are sending people from official development bodies to Mipim.
4 Comments
by Skills For Enterprise
Wednesday, February 15 2012, 1:29PM
“Amazed that the lead body in Leicester is not able to attend the event. So far they have secured the Enterprise Zone at the Mira site but what else?”
by cannesorbust
Wednesday, February 15 2012, 1:13PM
“£5,000 is not all that much for two people to attend. The early bird rte is over £2,200 for two people, not including travel and accommodation. On the other hand, it really is worth coming to Cannes with a plan as there is an awful lot of competition out there. It's worth remembering though that every time a local council decides to attend, there is an immediate outcry about "jollies" and perks in the press.”
by michaelkw
Wednesday, February 15 2012, 1:04PM
“Why Cannes? Because it's jolly nice. Why not Novi Sad or Szeged!”
by DuaneB
Wednesday, February 15 2012, 11:48AM
“Quite disgraceful that Leicester will not be attending this event. Derby and Nottingham are both moving ahead with large scale developments. I recently viewed plans for nice business developments in Derby and Nottingham. Leicester did once have ambition, especially with the business quarter near the train station but it looks like this will now never go ahead.
In terms of infrastructure, Nottingham is expanding it's tram network and Derby has a new inner ring road.. In terms of Leisure, Derby is even getting a new Arena.
And what is Leicester doing? Opening up vast amounts of fast food takeaways, knocking down a flyover and closing museums. Well done Leicester City Council and Soulsby! You have done a great job in attracting investment.”