An Olympian, a podcast and making the most of a day trip to Leeds.
It’s one of the biggest events in the investment and development calander but how much is known about a major gathering of developers, financiers and councils? UKREiiF - the Real Estate, Investment and Infrastructure Forum - is a massive. The Armouries in Leeds was the venue and judging by the number of landyards being brandished by people around the city the three-day event is the biggest story in town. Deals done here could have implications for people all over the UK.
Taking part again this year Cumbria, with a consortium made up of councils and supporters, was on show with a good story to tell.
Alongside developments in Carlisle and Barrow eyes are already on the Tour de France which will be in the county for two stages in 2027.
A commission from Business Crack to report on the event which was attended by Olympian Sir Bradley Wiggins meant a red eye early train across the Pennines to see for myself.
David Beeby from Enterprising Cumbria with me outside the Cumbria Pavilion.
And when you get there it really is a ‘who’s who’ of regions, all vying for the attention of potential collaborators and investers.
‘Be More Bradford’ caught my eye even before I went inside the exhibition area. The city was my childhood home and I was keen to see what is in store after the City of Culture tag has faded. A lot - as it turned out! A new railway station, regeneration of the city centre and a tram link to Leeds (‘the other city in West Yorkshire’ according to a proud Bradfordian.)
But back to Cumbria.
Aiming squarely at developers presentations made it clear that there is a demand for new homes, hospitality venues and everything in between in places like Barrow.
Among those whose ears did prick up was the managing editor of The Architects’ Journal Will Hurst.
“We know that there are many coastal towns are in need of regeneration and it sounds that with BAE Systems and other employers there is perhaps more opportunity with Barrow than other coastal communities,” he said. “I came along because I heard it was an interesting place. We’ve been to other areas like Bristol, Birmingham and Manchester and I’m thinking of arranging a study trip in the next few months to Barrow.”
Hear more of what he had to say in the edition of the Northern Lights podcast I created at the event in which we also heard what the benefits of having a mayor will have on an area from West Yorkshire’s CA (Cumbria is set to get a new mayor next year) as well as how David Beeby of Enterprising Cumbria and the leader of Westmorland and Furness council view the event too.
Did I mention the Olympian?!
Sir Brad is a hero of mine and to hear and see him at close quarters was a joy. He’s in the podcast too as well as a few videos I also made:
In summary - a fascinating day (I was only there for one day) and lots of great conversations. As one person told me ‘we can do a years worth of business in 1 day - everyone’s here.’
Read more here.
And the final word to Bradford. 'Built Different’ is the city’s no-nonsense strapline. For developers and investors, that’s the kind of language they may want to hear more of.