Regeneration that firms recognise North's potential, says Minister of State Anna Turley
Growing numbers of regeneration companies are recognising the economic potential of the North of England, according to Anna Turley, Minister of State in the Cabinet Office
Ms Turley made the comments after speaking at the UK’s Real Estate Investment & Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF) which is being held at the Royal Armouries Museum and New Dock in Leeds. The event, which has attracted more than 16,000 professionals from national and local government, investors and developers, shines the spotlight on regeneration work being carried out across the UK.
Ms Turley, who was elected as the MP for Redcar in 2024, was the main speaker at an event with the title “Redcar on the Up”, which highlighted the steps being taken by the public and private sectors to boost the town's economy. The debate focused on the fact that £90m has been invested in Redcar in recent years. Major projects have included the revival of the Regent Cinema, upgrades to the train station, and improvements to the high street and seafront.
Afterwards, Ms Turley said: “Redcar has all the potential to be a thriving seaside town where families from Yorkshire and across the North-East come to enjoy themselves and spend their money. Here we’ve got the best of the public and private sectors who have got money to invest and regeneration experience. We’ve got plans and ambitions, we’re open for business.”
She added: "UKREiif is a fantastic organisation and everybody in this room can transform a town like mine. The Chancellor (Rachel Reeves) mentioned UKREiif this morning so I know it's at the forefront of her mind to come here and talk to everybody involved in regeneration. Our priority is not just growth..but it's growth in all parts of this country; that's what the Chancellor is really committed to and that's why it’s great that UKREiif is here in Leeds, and we're talking about towns like Redcar getting investment and really transforming their futures.
“We've got this project called Redcar Rising which is really ambitious. When we asked the people of Redcar what they wanted, they are so proud of their town and they are heartbroken to see a seaside town with shops closed down and a high street in decline. They know what a brilliant place it can be. It's about us marrying nostalgia with vision and ambition for the future.
“At UKREiif, the people who can make it happen are here,’’ she added. “It’s Rachel’s (Reeves) turf here, she gets it, so when you've got a Government that is committed to growth and regeneration and a private sector raring to go and local authorities like my own keen to work with investment companies, the sky's the limit.
“When I talk to lots of regeneration companies, they have done projects down South that have paid off, (and) I think they are recognising that there is potential in the North. It’s about ambition, you’ve got to start with a dream. I'm really excited about what we're building with the public sectors and private sectors and central Government. We can really achieve something powerful.”