North East hosts Big Cities Conference for first time

A major shift in regional collaboration is underway as the North East hosts the prominent urban development gathering for the first time (The Northern Echo). The historic arrival of industry leaders highlights a broader wave of economic transformation, regeneration, and cultural ambition sweeping across northern towns and cities (Business News North East). Practitioners and place-management experts have converged to examine innovative strategies for urban centres, waterfront potential, and the evolving role of the hospitality sector (Get into Newcastle).

The multi-day itinerary has brought national figures to key urban landmarks across Newcastle and Sunderland (Get into Newcastle). Delegates toured Newcastle’s Boiler Shop and examined the ongoing regeneration work at Grainger Market, alongside sessions focusing on licensing legislation and evening economies (The Northern Echo). Legal experts and hospitality advocates told the assembly that night-time economies should be treated as vital civic assets rather than municipal liabilities (Business News North East).

Media additions

Stephen Patterson, chief executive of NE1 Ltd, said:

"We are proud to host the Atcm conference jointly with our BID partners in Sunderland. It is an honour to welcome such eminent, world-leading experts in placemaking and city centre transformation to the region and to provide a forum to discuss the important issues facing the future of our cities. Innovation has been the golden thread running through Newcastle’s history. This event will help fuel our aspirations and shape a vision for the region’s future that continues this trailblazing tradition."

Stephen Patterson, Chief executive of NE1 Ltd, via The Northern Echo

Urban design strategies formed another core pillar of the opening sessions, with strategic planners outlining how modern cities can better unlock waterfront capabilities (The Northern Echo). The focus then shifted eastward toward Sunderland for coastal breakfast briefings and site visits (Get into Newcastle). Attendees crossed the city's new bridge before gathering at the newly opened Culture House to discuss how the arts can actively shape modern urban centers (The Northern Echo).

Sharon Appleby, chief executive of Sunderland’s BIDs, echoed these sentiments:

"Bringing the ATCM conference to the North East is a huge honour and an incredible opportunity for us to collaborate with Newcastle to showcase how we are actively and proactively dealing with the challenges facing modern cities. We have been able to highlight the extent of our ambition and the real progress that has been made in bringing those ambitions to fruition."

Sharon Appleby, Chief Executive of Sunderland’s BIDs, via The Northern Echo

This localized regeneration forms part of a wider economic framework across the North of England, where business leaders and regional authorities are pushing to capture global investment opportunities (North East Chamber of Commerce). Economic development discussions have highlighted the region's expanding capabilities in advanced manufacturing, digital technology, and clean energy, bolstered by new regional devolution powers (North East Chamber of Commerce). John McCabe, chief executive of the North East Chamber of Commerce, noted that imports and exports of goods and services generate nearly £29bn annually, emphasizing that the regional challenge is ensuring businesses have the confidence, support, and infrastructure to reach new markets (North East Chamber of Commerce).

Further afield, broader northern regeneration efforts have been championed by local authorities seeking to attract international capital (Lancashire County Council). Regional mayors and leaders recently unveiled a multi-billion-pound investment pipeline designed to showcase industrial strengths from Cheshire to the Scottish border (Lancashire County Council). North East Mayor Kim McGuinness, chair of The Great North, stated that leaders are putting their money where their mouth is to unlock the full potential of the North (Lancashire County Council). Additionally, Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed that the Government is backing plans for housing and business space through City Investment Funds, assigning £120m to the North East mayoral authority to back developments at Gateshead Quays, Newcastle Helix, Forth Yards, and Stephenson Quarter, alongside acceleration of the first commercial building at the Durham Innovation District at Aykley Heads (Chronicle Live).

What happens next for the region involves translating these strategic frameworks into completed capital projects and sustainable jobs (North East Chamber of Commerce). Further regional collaboration events are scheduled across northern venues, including the final event of the North East Chamber of Commerce's conference mini-series titled Place to Prosperity: Culture, Investment and Growth, taking place at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music in Gateshead on 15 October to explore how place, culture, and investment can support long-term economic growth (North East Chamber of Commerce).