A SPECIAL event threw the spotlight on Worcester’s ambitious plans to grow its economy by 30 per cent over the next 12 years.

The Great Worcester Showcase gave potential investors an insight into how the city plans to seize the chance to create a great future – becoming a city of ambition and opportunity where no one is left behind.

The event was attended by business people and decision-makers from Worcestershire and beyond. They heard about plans to transform Worcester by attracting more than £855 million of private sector investment.

Speakers included Councillor Adrian Gregson, leader of Worcester City Council; Coun Adrian Hardman, leader of Worcestershire County Council; Ian McDermott, chief operating officer of Sanctuary Group; Peter Pawsey, chairman of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, and Jon Graham, Worcestershire County Cricket Club’s new business director. The event was compered at the Guildhall by Hamish McRae, associate editor of the Independent. Included in the vision were plans to boost employment from the current 58,000 to 66,000 by 2025.

Coun Adrian Gregson said: “Our proposals for the creation of 280 hectares of new employment land and surrounding districts by 2030 have been approved and proposals for the city centre will bring 8,000 jobs and boost the economy by more than £600 million by 2025.”