On Wednesday the 1st February, our media editor Ellisha-Jade attended the South Coast Business works down at the Novotel Hotel in Southampton City Centre. As much as there have been many hardships in business recently, speakers and attendees were upbeat and optimistic about the future of the city.
With an exhibition centre full of local businesses and time to question the panelists it was a welcoming and most of all inspirational event to get geared up for the rest of the year.
There were talks from David Lees – Southampton Airport, Brad Roynon – Go! Southampton, Andy Collyer – West Quay, a welcome address from Senior Partner at Trethowans Solicitors – Simon Rhodes. There was also a question time panel hosted by Lee Peck of Lee Peck Media.
So How Will The City Grow in Business?
,All of the speakers and panelists were positive that the future of the city was very promising. Based on the growth and the fact that there are over 16 Million shoppers visiting West Quay alone every year. Andy Collyer spoke on how with the new development, they wanted to move away from the ‘grab and go’ types of eateries. New developments move towards the sit down places to encourage residents and visitors to spend more time in the area. As a result, viewing and enjoying all that it has to offer. The idea being, that the historic Southampton walls would be a feature of the new development. Featuring stairs and including stone seating for people to sit and chat and enjoy the view of the walls.
During the question time, Southampton Sailing Week Race Director Chris Rees wondered how the panelists sum up Southampton. This question posed great responses, including a ‘city with a plan’, ‘ambition’, ‘drive’. Above all, a city with the drive to go forward. Sounds like it fits with the theme of Rees’ Southampton Celebration Proms at the Mayflower.
Find the Southampton Celebration Proms post Here: https://southamptonfocus.co.uk/southampton-celebration-proms/
