• 10 months ago
Multi-million pound housing projects that will transform Wolverhampton city centre and boost the local economy have been outlined at a special event.
More than 200 delegates attended the City Centre Living showcase at the WV1 Restaurant and Bar at Molineux.
The event outlined how the city centre was being reimagined and how new urban living opportunities were being brought forward by the city council with public and private sector partners that would revitalise the area.
In total, developments to deliver 6,500 new homes were showcased.
Transcript
00:00 I'm here with Councillor Stephen Simmikins, the leader of Wolverhampton Council.
00:05 It's a big important event for the city today. It's a showcase about how the future of the city's housing is going to shape up over the next few years.
00:14 There's a lot of big developers who are teaming up with the council to build on sites including the canal side in Wolverhampton.
00:21 Stephen, what do you think the future is going to be for housing in Wolverhampton? I know you've got a lot of big projects.
00:29 If you look at the major cities across the country, the one thing that sticks out and the commonality there is city centre living.
00:36 So this is our steps and our policy to move into that space of city centre living.
00:41 For me it's important because all the jobs that we'll get, not just in the construction but the spin-off, will be that there's a market right on the doorstep of the city centre.
00:50 So we can repurpose and reimagine the city centre. So these are part of our long-term plans to reimage and reshape our city moving forward into the modern era.
01:00 And that will bring us more sustainable future and jobs in that sector, especially in entertainment.
01:06 So that's what's important for us. And I think what's key with all city centre living is unique transport links.
01:13 We've got a fantastic transport hub right in the city centre, so we need to take full advantage of that. And I think we're doing that with these developments.
01:21 What's pleasing for me is that so many people have attended today and our partners working with local government and the private sector is the way forward for us, especially in Wolverhampton.
01:33 And this is vital for the regeneration of Wolverhampton and having the strong workforce that the city will need as fresh investment comes in, in retail and in industry as well?
01:46 Well that's really important. So that's the very reasons why we worked closely with the University.
01:50 I'm really pleased with the collaboration that we've done with the University of Wolverhampton and working with Ibram is really key.
01:57 Because we've got the Brownfield Institute, we're now going to be starting developing the city learning quarter. That gives us the skills for the future.
02:05 That's important that we make sure that our workforce is match ready. Pardon the pun as we work the mob in you.
02:12 And the night time economy of course is vitally important. You've got the Civic and the Wolfram at the halls now in full operation.
02:19 The Grand Theatre and lots of other night time things and the new people that are coming in to live within the city. That's going to be a big plus point for them as well isn't it?
02:29 Of course because that's the very reason why we're doing it. You've just missed out the Lighthouse Theatre that will be opening this year.
02:35 That's important that we give that entertainment offer. I think what's important is we're just about to launch a review of the late night economy and generally the entertainment economy for our city.
02:47 We're going to ask that the scrutiny review looks at not just the late night economy but the economy in general.
02:55 That's the reason why we're bringing these projects there because we need an audience. They need something to do so we want them to work, play and enjoy living within our city.
03:04 Our city is a great city to come and live in. We like to think that we're doing as much as we can in the space that we've got with regards to the finances.
03:13 We do punch above our weight and it's pleasing to see again that this event is completely sold out.
03:19 So being at the Molyneux it's appropriate to say there's a golden future for Wolverhampton?
03:23 Well we'd like to think so. We're at the very early starts of that and we need to progress that.
03:28 But we need to make sure that we're building flexibility because God knows what could be thrown at us arping back to Covid.
03:35 So we need to move on from that but build firm foundations and this is the start of that.
03:40 That's great. Thanks very much Stephen. I hope today's event goes well.
03:43 I'm sure it will. Thank you for coming.

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