Brighton and Hove City Council has announced that plans have been developed that will see the council working alongside its partners to ensure growth in the city’s economy over the next three years.
Whilst also continuing to support residents and businesses within the Greater Brighton City Region, the ‘ambitious’ plan will utilise the strengths of the city and take advantage of new challenges and opportunities that are on offer.
Lead Councillor for Economic Development, Cllr Ty Goddard, said:
“The last five years have seen major challenges in both the national and local economy, from a pandemic to the current cost of living crisis.
In Brighton & Hove the visitor economy is bouncing back and the retail, hospitality, digital and creative sector continues to grow, but need support.
“We need to focus on skills, jobs growth for all of our communities. We are a start-up business capital but we need to scale up those firms where possible.”
After consulting more than 300 stakeholders, including business, community organisations and individuals across the private and public sectors, the three-year Economic Plan will set out a series of clear actions that will be used to bring tangible impacts on prosperity. These actions include:
- Bringing businesses together to develop a new Business Growth Board
- Developing a Digital City programme that will support jobs, business and digital skills
- Maintaining and developing the Brighton and Hove Living Wage campaign
- Building on existing activity in food and circular economy to reduce food poverty and give residents opportunities to engage with climate response
- Developing a Business Prospectus to draw investment to the city
- Exploring potential expansion of the Business Improvement District
- Developing a 10-year destination plan to promote the city as a creative destination
Cllr Goddard continued:
“Supporting business to scale up, growing neighbourhood businesses that residents love and attracting external funding is key.
“This new Economic Plan sets out clear and common goals, on how we can continue to build on these strengths and create an economy that is fairer, greener and more productive.
“The ‘look and feel’ of our city is key and we are focused on that for residents and visitors. We also have to work better at spreading opportunity for all of our communities.
“Our city has always been unique, and by working together with our partners to attract investment and respond to new challenges and opportunities, we will help develop a better future for our residents and businesses and become one of the best small cities in the world.”
Image credit: iStock
