BlogRSS

New football season

Wolverhampton Development Company — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Isn’t it remarkable how in some years the Community Shield opener at Wembley fails to interest me and yet other years (when Chelsea win it) I view it as an important pointer to the chances of winning the Premiership.

The match yesterday lived up to all the old footballing clichés being a game of two halves with Man United being dominant in the first half and Chelsea taking over in the second. We also had a variation on the old Englishman, Irishman and Scotsman scenario with a ‘wicked’ German (Ballack) and an ‘injured’ Frenchman (Evra). Fortunately the irascible Scotsman (Ferguson) ensured that there was some read across to the old jokes.

All in all it was a good but not great game with plenty of bite particularly after the Ballack/Evra incident. Given the context of the normal non–tackling Community Shield, it was a pleasant surprise and not a bad appetiser to whet one’s palate for the season ahead.

Of course this year I want to see Wolverhampton Wanderers do really well on their return to the Premiership. Nevertheless from yesterday’s performance, I am totally convinced that Chelsea will go on to pick up the Premiership, FA Cup, Carling Cup and Champions League trophies to add to its collection of silverware. Like most fans I retain such delusions for just as long as the first setback when I swing over to abject pessimism. Finally don’t mention the cricket!!

Green Cities

Wolverhampton Development Company — Sun, 02 Aug 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Interested to see that the EU has named Stockholm as its first Green Capital City. This designation goes to Hamburg from 2011. Stockholm has apparently cut its carbon emissions by 25% since 1990 and aims to be fossil–fuel–free by 2050. Having visited Stockholm twice in recent years to see its famous new waterfront residential development at Hammerby, I can understand why the city received such a title.

Without decrying Stockholm’s achievements and future objectives, personally I found Malmo’s regeneration more attractive than Stockholm’s. To me the Western Harbour development at Malmo with its iconic ‘Turning Torso’ building produces a much more appealing atmosphere than the somewhat sterile, showcasey aura of Hammerby. Having said that, I did enjoy staying at the Royal Hotel (owned by ex–Abba star Benny Andersson) with its collection of 70s/80s CDs in your room. But that’s another story.

Our aim for the future has to be to ensure that British cities achieve bustle and excitement without compromising green credentials. I look forward to seeing the title of EU’s Green Capital City bestowed on one of Britain’s leading cities famed for its measures for tackling pollution, waste, water management and, of course, greenhouse gas emissions. Hopefully one day Wolverhampton will be that city.

Banking on our future

Wolverhampton Development Company — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 23:00:00 GMT

I find myself on the horns of a dilemma over the very recent announcements concerning the performance of the banking sector. Like most people I am only too happy to condemn the selfish behaviour of the banking fraternity and blame them for the current recession.

It seems a no–brainer that they should be taken to task for making obscene payments by way of bonuses for careless and excessive short–term risk taking. However, when viewed with a little more logic, the return of profitability for the banking sector must be a pre–requisite for the ending of the current crisis and a return to economic prosperity for us all.

So the recent results indicating a much improved performance by the banking sector should be welcomed. Particularly if the improved performance is accompanied by a willingness on behalf of the banks to start lending to businesses and individuals at rates that are affordable.

Given the level of tax take that the Government formerly received from the financial sector, a return (albeit at more sober levels) to greater rewards for bankers I guess would be less painful than a decade of severely reduced public expenditure and big tax rises for us all.

Wolves – A Premiership Outfit

Wolverhampton Development Company — Sun, 24 May 2009 23:00:00 GMT

At last, after several near misses, Wolverhampton Wanderers has made it to the Premiership. And as Champions, no less. This is great news for the city and will ensure that one team from the Black Country will be carrying the flag at the highest level in the 2009/10 season.

Intuitively we know that success on the field has a wonderful effect upon the city but now there has been scientific research to prove it. Hull has recently carried out a study that shows that the city has received an economic boost of tens of millions from their membership of the Premiership. With their games being beamed all across the world, tourism to Hull has rocketed.

Given Wolves’ greater reputation, we can look for at least as substantial a benefit as Hull has enjoyed over the past year. So for the coming year, I wish Wolves every success (apart from when they play Chelsea, of course) in the Premiership.

Has the recession bottomd out yet?

Wolverhampton Development Company — Sun, 17 May 2009 23:00:00 GMT

The constant posing of this question is getting as tedious as one’s children inquiring whether we’re there yet on the proverbial trip to the seaside. This week has seen yet more conflicting ‘expert’ opinion about signs of green shoots, the depth and length of the recession and the (letter) shape of the recovery.

The only thing that emerges clearly from all this is that there is still no definitive answer. Hardly surprising, as virtually all of the experts failed to predict the speed and depth of the recession in the first place.

All I know is that much like the other three recessions that I have witnessed in the 1970s, 80s and 90s, the arcane debate about a L, V or W shaped recession means little in the context of the real human tragedy that such events bring in their wake.

This one, like the other three, will continue to see sharply rising unemployment and repossessions and all the misery that that entails long after ‘technical’ recovery starts. So even if we have reached the bottom, we still have a long way to go before ordinary people will recognise real improvement. The seaside is still hours away yet.

Admiring the heady heights

Wolverhampton Development Company — Thu, 14 May 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Must pay my tribute to the nerve and expertise of the workers who are constructing the student accommodation for Victoria Hall in Locke Street, Wolverhampton. As the article on Friday 15 May in the Express and Star said, “their workplace is 25 storeys above the ground”.

As someone who gets vertigo just from going up a step ladder when decorating, I marvel at their ability. It reminds me of those iconic prints of the native Americans (I think they were Mohawks) sitting on girders way above the ground during the building of the New York skyscrapers.

Anyway, it is really exciting to see the development growing before our eyes. With completion due in August and read for occupation in time for the new University year, this £37m development is a real boost for Wolverhampton in these difficult times. More than 200 applications for the 750 units on offer have already been lodged with Victoria Hall and I am sure that come September/October all will be taken.

So congratulations to everyone associated with the development – just don’t ask me to any celebrations on the 25th floor!

Wolverhampton great city of opportunity

Wolverhampton Development Company — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT

This year’s MIPIM will be the first for the newly formed WDC. And I can't wait to spread the word about the Black Country’s only city.

We were formed with 236,900 people and one mission in mind: to maximise the benefits of growth for the people of Wolverhampton. In doing so, it’s our intention to transform Wolverhampton into one of the most successful cities of the 21st century.

To do this, we are going to work with our private and public sector partners to increase the pace, scale and quality of growth opportunities. Every element of this activity will be crucial in attracting more of the right investment opportunities.

To achieve this ambitious aim, we're committed to a three-stage plan. First is the delivery of a number of significant high quality development opportunities already in the pipeline. The technology-based business park, i54, and the £300 million retail and leisure scheme, Summer Row, together with the £140m mixed use scheme known as Interchange are the three most important.

Our second focus will be the identification of future opportunities and the undertaking of associated activities, including masterplanning, gap funding applications and land assembly.

Finally, a key activity will be the promotion of the city to developers and their advisers. In just the few months that I’ve been at WDC I’ve been impressed with what the city has to offer and the level of commitment that I’ve encountered from both the private and public sector to deliver high quality, sustainable development. It’s not just organisations that are champing at the bit either. All of the local people I’ve spoken to are incredibly positive about their city. We’re here to inform and enable developers to be part of what is one great city of opportunity.

Harnessing the power of partnerships

Wolverhampton Development Company — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

As we prepare for a phase of radical growth, I thought I'd provide a snapshot of how my team and I will help drive forward the process

Without doubt, this is the start of a very exciting time for Wolverhampton. Through the delivery of commercial development opportunities Wolverhampton has the potential to become a city of regional, national and international significance.

To help realise this potential, WDC has been established to act as a catalyst between public and private sectors. Working at a local level to meet the ambitious targets of The Black Country Study, we will facilitate solutions and spearhead the speedy delivery of high quality developments.

In any project there are a number of organisations involved and issues to resolve to ensure a successful outcome. Our role is to focus on delivering and achieving timely results by building effective partnerships with the different parties involved.

Supporting our team is a dynamic board of directors. Deliberately drawn from across the public and private sectors to provide a broad range of experience and a comprehensive outlook, members include chairman Graham Mackenzie, the leader of the Council Roger Lawrence and Nigel Stockton, chief executive of one of the city’s largest employers, Birmingham Midshires.

We're in a fortunate position. As well as having a strong team and board, WDC is the latest in a number of urban regeneration companies across the country – some of which have been operating for several years. As such,we're able to start work without delay having learnt from their experiences.

To achieve the transformation of Wolverhampton into one of the most successful cities of the 21st century we need to create and nurture new markets and investment. I am confident that we can achieve this.

People in Wolverhampton are hugely proud of their city, which is a fantastic starting point. It’s our intention to build on that sense of pride and maximise the benefits of growth for all.