On Tuesday 17th March, over 80 people from Stockport’sbusiness community attended the Economic Breakfast held atOrbit Developments flagship Regent House, with a panel of businessexperts, chaired by Manchester Evening News Business Editor, AdamJupp.

Introducing the event was Orbit Development’s Leasing ManagerRhys Owen, who set the scene highlighting many positivedevelopments in the town including: the Red Rock leisuredevelopment, public, retail and leisure space Stockport Exchangeand a £363,000 of investment in accessibility of the town centreand the SEMMMs link road.

He also touched on a new Place campaign about to launch calledWe Are Stockport and the establishing of a BID – a businessimprovement district in Stockport town centre – which is nowcanvassing feedback and support.

Brian Bradley, a partner at Clarke Nicklin, Peter Larkham, HRDirector at CDL (Cheshire Datasystems Ltd), Helen White, Founderand Director of Marketing Stockport, John Cook, head of employmentat SAS Daniels, and Stockport Council chief executive Eamonn Boylancontributed to a lively discussion around the town’s futurebusiness prospects.

Top of the agenda was the importance of a connected andcollaborative business community which is helping to shape aculture of growth and success across the borough.

Location and access to many employment markets was cited as agreat reason to base a business in the town. Many spoke ofopportunities for bright professionals to create career pathsoutside Manchester city centre and do well.

Eamonn Boylan spoke of the Council’s investment activity in thetown centre to create more dwell time in a family friendlyenvironment and refurbish much loved old buildings so Stockport’sheritage could be part of the future. “Our role is to createanchors for the private sector to build around,” he said.

Worries around broadband speed and transport were raised butinitiatives to tackle them like the freshly started SEMMMs road andGet Digital Faster schemes were acknowledged.

Orbit Developments Managing Director Tony Jones said: “It was anupbeat occasion which attracted some of the town’s most influentialand high profile businesses. The mood was one of collective will tomake a difference. Both the private and public sector are workingtogether to a game-changing agenda. It’s an exciting time to beliving and working in Stockport.”

Attendees enjoyed a light breakfast and the opportunity tonetwork with other local businesses.