Hammersmith & Fulham cited as "Borough of Opportunity"

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Council brings together some of the biggest employers in the borough

Hammersmith & Fulham Council brought together some of the biggest employers in the borough last week to hear from the council leader on how vital it is to create a "borough of opportunity".

The individual presentations and evening dinner, at the Queen's Club, were attended by representatives of many of the large corporates who provide jobs for tens of thousands of people as well as bosses from small and medium sized businesses.

The top brass from major corporates like the BBC, Disney, Haymarket Publishing and L'Oreal listened to Council Leader, Cllr Stephen Greenhalgh, as he outlined the policies that would make the borough of opportunity a reality.

Cllr Greenhalgh got down to business by highlighting a raft of initiates including policies to ensure a top quality education for all; tackle crime and anti-social behaviour; create a cleaner, greener borough and promote home ownership.

Cllr Greenhalgh said, "Hammersmith & Fulham is an exciting place to do business. We are home to world beaters like Coca-Cola, Disney,Haymarket Publishing and L'Oreal. Big businesses make us their home as we have excellent transport links to the West End, The City
and Heathrow. We are the only borough in Europe with three top-flight football clubs and are also home to the BBC."

Lord Heseltine, the founder of Haymarket Publishing on Hammersmith Road, spoke about inner city regeneration and the importance of constructive collaboration between local businesses and the council. He emphasised the importance of competition in regenerating the borough combined with public sector investment.

And the council leader's positive change agenda also
struck a chord with others at the summit. Andrew Fullerton, head of environmental planning at the BBC, said, "The BBC shares the council's goal of bringing economic prosperity and opportunity to local people. We have long been a collaborator in the regeneration of White City and are committed to the nurturing of new start-up businesses at our media village. It's a great time to be part of the business community in the borough."

At the summit Cllr Greenhalgh also talked about the final touches to an ambitious £20million
grab for government cash. The Local Enterprise & Growth Initiative (LEGI) bid will, if successful, allow Hammersmith & Fulham, in partnership with Ealing Council, to attract more investment into the area.

Cllr Greenhalgh concludes, "Successful businesses are the life blood of the borough. They attract inward investment and generate wealth and jobs for local residents. We have a strong relationship with business and are committed to providing an environment where companies can truly thrive -a borough of opportunity."

 

September 11, 2006