Midlands Engine will drive footfall to the region in 2021, says Sir John

The Midlands Engine is perfectly placed to help increase the number of visitors to the Coventry and Warwickshire region in 2021, believes Sir John Peace.

Sir John is chairman of the Midlands Engine, a partnership of stakeholders created to drive economic growth and improve productivity and quality of life in the region.

Speaking at a Business Leaders Lunch at the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce’s #CWRocks trade expo, he outlined the potential for Midlands Engine partners to help boost visitor numbers to the region during Coventry's year as UK City of Culture.

“The Midlands Engine partners can drive footfall to Coventry from right across the Midlands and beyond, which would have a positive impact on the city and the rest of the region during 2021," he said.

“The tourism and cultural assets of the Midlands already contribute over £8bn a year to our economy and act as a powerful magnet.  As the UK’s transport hub, with excellent international connections, over 90 per cent of the UK population is within four hours’ travel time to the Midlands.

“The city was a deserving winner of the title - and a successful year for Coventry would be a successful year for the Midlands.”

Sir John explained that, to help grow the economy across the whole of the Midlands, the Midlands Engine's has five key priorities: Radically transforming Midlands connectivity; growing trade and investment; skills; shaping great places; and increasing innovation and enterprise.

He added: “The Government can see the importance of the Midlands. The Midlands economy boasts over 14 per cent of the UK’s high-growth businesses but, on the other hand, our productivity is below the national average.

“If we could take it up to the national average, we would add nearly £54bn in GVA so the prize is very clear.”

Louise Bennett, chief executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “It was also great to welcome Sir John Peace to speak at the event. Coventry and Warwickshire does, of course, have its own identity but, as Sir John said, there are issues that we all face as a region and the Midlands Engine can help us better work together across all areas of the Midlands.

“He spoke passionately about his desire to see the Midlands succeed and not just to drive economic growth for the sake of it, but to drive up the living standards and opportunities for everyone.

“As he said, UK City of Culture presents a great opportunity to attract people from all over the world to our region but it’s important too that it attracts visitors to Coventry from across the Midlands.”