It’s my first time representing Trafford Council in Cannes this month, and I’m exciting to be profiling the amazing regeneration of one of our borough’s town centres, Altrincham, along with our civic quarter masterplan and New Carrington development plus initiatives we have introduced aimed at creating truly vibrant communities.
Our new Chief Executive, Sara Todd, who took up her role at Trafford last month, and Richard Roe, Corporate Director for Place, join me. We all understand what a vital opportunity MIPIM presents for us to promote Trafford – and Manchester - on an international stage. This amazing borough is already well established as prime location for economic and housing growth and we want to share that with the rest of the globe.
I believe it’s an exciting time for our region; across GM we’re committed to working together to build something truly special, something that everyone can be proud of. We’re at the heart of one of the fastest-growing cities in the UK: Trafford is now home to more than 13,000 businesses employing 163,000 people. This makes us one of the most economically competitive areas in the north of the country. But it’s not just about our output; our town centres are becoming recognised for their well-balanced mix of national and regional businesses, and for opportunities for further development. Quality, independent shops are strengthening our retail and leisure offer, making centres such as Altrincham, Sale, Stretford, and Urmston hubs that are central to Trafford’s growth plans.
But it’s not just about showcasing what we’ve already achieved, it’s a learning process too.
I, in particular, am looking forward to learning from other leading cities, plus private and public sector speakers with a wealth of experience and knowledge.
We’ll be meeting various new investors and developers to discuss current projects and to present Trafford as an attractive investment opportunity. By working together we can create thriving places and unlock the future potential in our town centres.