State of the City round up

Collaboration, support and co-ordination were the buzz words of the day at this year’s State of the City Debate, held on the 9^th July.

Brighton & Hove businesses came out in force to discuss all aspects of business in the City as well as plenty more besides, from proposed ice skating rinks to high-rise apartments.

Chaired by ex-BBC journalist and media coach Miranda Birch, the panel consisted of President of the Chamber of Commerce Julia Chanteray, alongside leader of the Council Jason Kitcat and Chairman of the Brighton & Hove Economic Partnership Gary Peters.

Opening the debate Jason Kitcat raised the key issues of transport, space and air pollution. He added that the council was looking to model itself on other cities, namely Manchester.

Gary Peters questioned whether Brighton & Hove was heading towards a ‘Super City’ status, and highlighted the need to develop infrastructure to meet the inevitable influx of people to the city.

Julia Chanteray’s focus was on how we can make it easier to do business in the city. With the Council’s diminishing resources it is up to businesses to work out what they want and how they want to do it.

Although the event was opened by the panel, discussion was led by members of the audience who had been invited to submit questions beforehand to the panel and invited experts.

The recurring theme of the night? How to encourage business in the city of course!

Key areas up for debate:

• Yes, our city has an array of businesses in all sectors already, but can we entice other larger companies to set up shop here?
• How do we encourage our graduates to stay here and highly-skilled employees to come here?
• Should those highly-skilled workers fresh out of university be taking the jobs which could be filled by those without a degree?

One audience member called for more support for fledgling businesses, and it was suggested that only through collaboration, and the embracing of our diversity, which is after-all what makes Brighton so special, could we truly succeed.

The emphasis must be on networking to ensure start-ups thrive.

Accommodation, described as ‘appalling’ by one audience member, was next on the agenda.

Brighton Housing Trust Chief Executive Andy Winter highlighted the need for up to 25,000 new homes in our area, and suggested that rather than expanding outwards we need to look upwards to meet this figure.

The temporary King Alfred Ice Rink Project was also a ‘hot’ topic for discussion, with Jason Kitcat quick to point out that although we may all like ice skating temporary developments are complicated. 

Despite an array of differing opinions the solution that we can all agree on is clear - we need people to get together and talk – and what better place to start than at the State of the City Debate.

By Alexandra Hepworth, @ACHepworth

If you want to contribute to the Chamber blog, contact us on hannah@brightonchamber.co.uk