Council backs vision to improve city’s economy

7:10pm Tuesday 23rd October 2012 in News By Tom Edwards

A NEW economic strategy which aims to help Worcester compete on a national stage for investment, jobs, education and retail has been backed by council chiefs.

Worcester City Council’s Economic Prosperity Strategy is aimed at realising a vision by investing in key areas such as better shopping, skills for youngsters and promoting Worcester as a place to invest.

The blueprint, which was revealed in your Worcester News on Saturday, was put together after consultations with more than 50 city organisations.

Speaking at a meeting of the Conservative cabinet, Councillor Simon Geraghty, the leader, said: “This is a very ambitious strategy but one we are determined to back up with resources. The city has to be the ‘powerhouse’ in terms of the economic centre of the county, there’s no doubt about that.

“We’ve had a lot of consultation on it and engaged a lot of people, and the key now is to drive the city forward.”

The document spells out the vision for Worcester in 2020, insisting sites such as Angel Place, Cathedral Square and the Cornmarket hold the key to improving retail. The strategy will seek a root-and-branch review of the shopping and hotel availability in the city to see where gaps can be exploited.

It will ensure high quality business advice is available to new firms looking to either start-up or relocate to the city. It also wants to set up a regular forum where education providers can look at gaps in the skill-sets of young people and determine new ways of tackling the issue.

Coun Marc Bayliss, deputy leader and the cabinet member responsible for economic prosperity, said: “This is the first time the city council has had a strategy like this for a number of years. It’s about helping people achieve their aspirations, creating jobs and wealth, and realising a vision.

“Working with businesses on it is absolutely vital and the strategy has been broadly endorsed.”

Comments(3)

pronstar says...
7:26pm Tue 23 Oct 12

So, what's the strategy exactly? Or is it just at the talking about having a strategy stage?

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outside-edge says...
8:14pm Tue 23 Oct 12

Great idea, but as usual from Worcester Councillors/Politici
ans just words and platitudes. I suspect from past form the money will be spent on well-meaning but inadequate initiatives.

Worcester should be more than just shops/hairdressers/s
olicitors.
Yes ,other business is needed but some of the things needed to attract business are never properly addressed. I have business interests in kidderminster, though not the prettiest town in the Midlands but one that is busily re-inventing itself. The three people I work with from time to time, can get to and from there relatively easyily either by car or by train on most days. There are also premises ideal for small business start-up.

Worcester appears to have done little to improve its transport infrastructure over the last 25 years and when it does, it seems to do it ineffectually (see Whittington roundabout and Tything/Ronkswood bus lanes and wait for Christmas and the inevitable hold-ups on City Walls Road/Lowesmoor at the St Martin's Gate development/car parks).

Tonight it took me 40 minutes from Northwick to the City Centre for a meeting; usual bottlenecks, Tything/Cathedral roundabout blocked by buses unable to access bus stands choked by private cars waiting to pick loved ones up on a rainy day, backing traffic up in the rest of the Centre. Re-design this for a start, for the benefit of cars & buses and tthe traffic will run more freely.

As for trains, over 2 1/2 hours (and no hourly service) to London by train and a not very good service to Birmingham. Don't forget it's the UK's second City and not a rival to Worcester but an advantage if properly connected.

Tackle these things and Worcester might just take-off in the way the Council envisages.

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mayall8808 says...
7:34am Wed 24 Oct 12

Just another load of Mr Geraghty's hot air, this has all been spouted before but in a different way, when is the council going to get a grip ?

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