Planning, parking, jobs and sustainable business were among the topics discussed during the annual State of the City debate in Brighton this evening (Wednesday 20 June).
Brighton and Hove Chamber of Commerce organised the debate and question and answer session at Brighton University’s Sallis Benney Theatre in Grand Parade.
Brighton and Hove City Council leader Jason Kitcat said that the city was a great place to do business. He said that he first moved here when he was starting a digital business.
The debate was chaired by Brighton and Hove Buses managing director Roger French.
He said that a survey of chamber of commerce members found that among the key concerns were the Brighton brand, sustainability, support for business and transport.
Tony Mernagh, who runs the Brighton and Hove Economic Partnership, said that the workforce was highly qualified and had great language skills. But, he said, the city needed more good quality office space.
It’s a fantastic place to live and now, he added, the Economic Psrtnership and the council were preparing a prospectus to attract more businesses and inward investment.
Councillor Kitcat said that Brighton and Hove could also work with its neighbours as they had more business space. He said that Brighton and Hove was a city of tomorrow – the city was going places.
The question of the cost of business rates and rents was problematic. Ed Allison-Wright, from the developer Centurion, was among those concerned that the costs could be prohibitive.
Mr Mernagh said that neighbouring councils were keen to work with Brighton and Hove with the mutual aim of creating jobs.
Malcolm Harvey, of the Federation of Small Businesses, wanted some of the scars – like the offices facing Preston Park – tackled.
Mr Mernagh accepted that there was a risk of complacency. He raised a laugh when he said that he’d been told Brighton was a city of the future – and it always would be.
He said: “We’re all waiting for someone to turn Brighton into a super city but it’s us. We are the people who have to do it.”
Chamber president Julia Chanteray spoke up for creative and digital businesses – and Councillor Kitcat said that many of them had succeeded despite the council.
He added though that the council was bidding for millions of pounds of government money to fund the spread of ultrafast broadband in Brighton and Hove.
He also said in answer to one question that the council was looking to create a suitable art gallery.
Kitcat says expanding businesses should look elsewhere where there is more space… At least he is being honest about the Greens saying that Brighton is NOT open for business.