Politcal leaders say Nottingham needs to regain lost pride and make Parliament listen if it is to finally regain long-term economic prosperity.
A delegation of MPs, businesses leaders, and academics is in Westminster today to raise the area’s profile through Nottingham in Parliament Day inside the Houses of Parliament.
In total there are more than 40 events and 100 organisations involved to try to bring more investment and growth to the city and county.
Nottingham City Councillor Jackie Morris, the Sheriff of Nottingham, said: “We’ve come here to showcase Nottingham. We can feel so detached from Westminster and it’s good for people to see we are prepared to go to central government.
“We’re coming down to show off the city and its business, culture, history and sport. There’s definitely a divide and it’s always been around.
“We’ve always felt very detached [from the London establishment]. It’s partly because of the past policies of Westminster about industries and the north – we’re still reeling from things like the closure of mines and people still feel that.
“We went from very proud working class areas to very deprived areas and that’s what we need to see the end of. And I think Nottingham is getting there now.”
A high-powered ‘Midlands Engine Breakfast’ inside a parliamentary dining room opened the day and was told Nottingham is on track to produce new jobs in the chemistry bio-science sectors.
But others warned Nottingham could face economic trouble in the wake of uncertainty linked to the Brexit vote.
The country’s trade status with the rest of the European Union is yet to be decided in the wake of the June 23 referendum result, leading to questions about the future plan for the UK economy when the process to leave is triggered next year.
“We’ve never needed our city and universities to be as openly outwardly-looking and make it clear we are open for business,” said the Broxtowe MP Anna Soubry.
“We need to let people know we are still open to people coming to our country – we benefit from skilled immigration in Nottingham and talent coming from all over the world.
“The voice of business must be the driving voice in everything we do as a city and county.”
The delegation also includes representatives from the world of sport, including Nottingham City of Football and John McGovern, who captained the Nottingham Forest side which twice won the European Cup under Brian Clough.
Chef Sat Bains, whose Lenton restaurant holds two Michelin stars, also travelled to Parliament to represent the city’s growing restaurant sector.
He said: “It’s about showing support and making sure people know we mean business and that people can learn something from us about the city – it’s a celebration of what we’ve got to offer.”
