Building a more competitive, productive, fairer and greener city

Councillors are being asked to approve an Economic Plan for Brighton & Hove which will see the council continue to work closely with partners across the region to shape and grow the city’s economy over the next three years and beyond. 

The ambitious plan aims to celebrate the city’s strengths and take full advantage of new challenges and opportunities, while supporting residents and businesses across the Greater Brighton City region.  

Consultation

This Economic Plan was drawn up following widespread consultation with more than 300 stakeholders, including businesses, community organisations and individuals in the private, public and third sectors. 

The three-year plan sets out business-friendly actions as to how the council and its partners will work together grow the economy of Brighton & Hove, attracting investment and building greater wealth for communities. 

A detailed action plan for the next 12 months supports and builds on activity already taking place to develop a fairer, greener and more productive economy.

Clear actions

It sets out a series of clear actions which will have positive, tangible and immediate impact on the prosperity of our businesses and communities. They include: 

• Bringing businesses together to evolve a new Business Growth Board to involve business and others in creating growth.
• Developing a Digital City programme to support growth in digital skills, jobs and businesses
• Maintaining and developing the Brighton & Hove Living Wage campaign 
• Building on existing food and circular economy activity to help decrease food poverty and provide opportunities for residents to engage with the city’s climate response
• Developing a Business Prospectus to attract investment to the city and to promote the city to potential investors and businesses
• Exploring the potential to expand the successful Business Improvement District (BID) to continue to invest in our city
• Developing a 10-year Destination Plan that celebrates and promotes the city as a creative destination

Bouncing back

Councillor Ty Goddard, lead councillor for Economic Development, said: “The last five years have seen major challenges in both the national and local economy, from a pandemic to the current cost of living crisis. 

In Brighton & Hove the visitor economy is bouncing back and the retail, hospitality, digital and creative sector continues to grow, but need support.

“We need to focus on skills, jobs growth for all of our communities. We are a start-up business capital but we need to scale up those firms where possible.

Supporting businesses

“Supporting business to scale up, growing neighbourhood businesses that residents love and attracting external funding is key.

“This new Economic Plan sets out clear and common goals, on how we can continue to build on these strengths and create an economy that is fairer, greener and more productive.

“The ‘look and feel’ of our city is key and we are focused on that for residents and visitors. We also have to work better at spreading opportunity for all of our communities.  

“Our city has always been unique, and by working together with our partners to attract investment and respond to new challenges and opportunities, we will help develop a better future for our residents and businesses and become one of the best small cities in the world.” 

Clear, shared vision

Dean Orgill, Brighton & Hove Economic Partnership Chair added: “The future prosperity of Brighton & Hove is all of our responsibility and we need to be ambitious for the future.  

“The voice of all business is key and we must all play our part in partnership for growth. From tourism to tech, retail to transport, we need to set a pace and aspiration for a city which can proudly stand alongside its national and international comparators. 

“This Economic Plan outlines a clear shared vision for that aspiration, and we look forward to realising Brighton & Hove’s potential as we collectively work towards achieving it.” 

The report and plan will be considered at a Cabinet meeting on Thursday 18 July.