Task force formed for city recovery

A task force group made up of representatives from both public and private sectors has been formed by Bondholder Derby City Council to lead Derby’s economic recovery from the effects of the coronavirus crisis.

Members of the task force include Bondholders Rolls-Royce, intu Derby, the University of Derby, the Cathedral Quarter and St Peters Quarter Business Improvement Districts, with Marketing Derby and Derby Renaissance Board.

The task force is chaired by Derby City Council’s Chief Executive, Paul Simpson, who said: “It’s clear that many businesses – large and small – across the city have already been badly affected by the coronavirus crisis.

“We will look at where new opportunities are possible – the group has been tasked with identifying key opportunities for financial assistance and city investment – and make sure that the city and its businesses are able to capitalise on them. The task force will do all it can to help alleviate the economic threat from coronavirus and ensure that the city has a clear plan for longer-term recovery.”

The group will work together to understand the economic impacts facing Derby, and assess what businesses, sectors and investments are likely to be hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic. It will partner with local agencies to offer short-term support, such as identifying opportunities for local contract sourcing, and sign-posting jobs and training options for displaced employees.

It will also support investors with existing planned developments in the city to ensure those schemes are successfully delivered. Derby’s City Centre Masterplan will be revised, taking into account new commercial realities and changed priorities, to ensure Derby is well-placed to benefit from the economic bounce-back over the coming months and years.

As well as engaging with local businesses and other key economic stakeholders over the next few weeks, the group will be working closely with Bondholders the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, and East Midlands Chamber, as well as Government departments, in order to deliver its aims for the city.

Paul Simpson, Derby City Council Chief Executive, commented: “Efforts are already underway to assist with distribution of Government grants to those qualifying companies to help ease short-term financial pressures. However, we now need to gather intelligence to understand the scale of the threat to the local and regional economy to help form our medium and longer-term mitigation and recovery strategies for Derby.”

Councillor Chris Poulter, Leader of Derby City Council, added: “This group will help to determine vital development and opportunities, as part of City Centre Masterplan, that can help to boost economy back into the city and support business sectors. We want to show that Derby is driven and committed to sustaining the city’s economic future going forward.”