Liverpool has an economy employing 230,000 people and worth £16.7bn a year but is hampered by low investment and productivity – now people are being asked to contribute to a new vision. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool’s economy is worth £16.7bn a year and provides employment for 230,000 people but is being held back by low productivity and a lack of investment.
Now the city council is launching an eight-week public consultation to ask residents and businesses to contribute to a new vision that it hopes will transform Liverpool’s economic prospects over the next 15 years.
Called Liverpool 2040, this new vision will focus on “strengthening foundations to build a fairer, more prosperous, and sustainable city that creates opportunities for a good life for all its residents”.
Cllr Nick Small, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Development and Growth, said: “This draft Inclusive Economic Growth Strategy is a vital piece of work and one which will come to define the conditions that support our businesses to grow.
“Feedback to this draft strategy is crucial, it needs to reflect the views and needs of our businesses, non-profit organisations, charities, and voluntary organisations – be it education, transport, housing or digital connectivity.”
Liverpool 2040 will look at themes including strengthening key sectors such as health and life sciences, creative and digital industries and advanced manufacturing and maritime.
It aims to build a “vibrant, productive and resilient business base”. Liverpool is currently home to around 14,000 businesses and this strategy will look to grow that number. It will look to ensure access to skills, employment opportunities and career building.
In December the council submitted a New Town bid to Government to regenerate a huge part of North Liverpool. It insists it is committed to supporting businesses and residents.
Several public engagement events will be staged over the coming months to gather views from the public. People can also click here to find out more and offer their feedback.
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Cllr Small added: “We also want to hear residents’ views to ensure we create a strong, relevant and deliverable strategy, one that will inform the initiatives, interventions and investment into the infrastructure the city needs to underpin our future economy.
“All of this feedback will help us strengthen the strategy, ensure we deliver the right action for economic growth, and best place us to build inclusivity so residents and communities thrive.”