Pick Everard leads Leicester’s charge as top investment hot spot in Business Festival

Leading property, construction and infrastructure consultancy, Pick Everard is spearheading the property and construction sector in the 2018 Leicester Business Festival (LBF) from 29 October to 9 November.

Leicester and Leicestershire is one of Britain’s most attractive and cost-effective places to develop, own or lease commercial property. With a prime central location, excellent transport links by road, rail and air as well as multi-million-pound regeneration and developments planned and in progress, it is an investment hot spot.

Alastair Hamilton, (pictured left) partner at Pick Everard is leading the property and construction sector in the LBF.

With ten, worthwhile property and development-themed events aimed at different audiences from investors and developers to construction supply chain businesses and landlords and letting agents, the sector is set to play an important part in the Festival.

This is indicative of the current state of the property and construction industry in the area, which is presently witnessing massive investment. Localised housing developments schemes are estimated to total £901 million, whilst there is £146 million in public non-housing construction - and a staggering £946 million in commercial construction in the pipeline.

Infrastructure projects worth over £250 million are in progress in the city centre including public realm schemes around Great Central Street; the restoration of the former grand central station; new hotels; extensive redevelopment of Leicester Waterside (near to the River Soar); as well as further developments on the former Granby Halls site by Leicester Tigers.

In the surrounding county, a £70 million energy recovery facility in Charnwood is in progress whilst there are major expansions at Fosse Park and Everards Meadows; Magna Park, MIRA Enterprise Zone and the East Midlands Gateway development (strategic rail freight interchange) near East Midlands Airport.

Extraordinary events that have never been done before in Leicester will showcase current and future property and investment opportunities in Leicester City, Harborough and at Space Park Leicester. Developers, funders, property agents and policymakers should find these particularly useful.

Valuable trade events also incorporate why businesses should take out latent defects insurance; grants and funding for property and construction SMEs and - further to BIM and VR, De Montfort University (DMU) looking at the use of modern technology by the construction supply chain. There are also workshops on the benefits of using an architect by the LRSA and events suitable for landlords and letting agents.

Alastair said, “The property and construction industry is at the heart of Leicester’s success. Millions of pounds are being invested in regenerating key sites across the city. Pick Everard is delighted to be involved in some of these, such as the Grand Central Square development; the National Space Centre’s renovation as well as Leicester Tigers’ exciting new hotel site.

“Leicester has strong supply chains, comprising firms varying in size and experience, all of whom play their part in supporting the economy and improving the public realm. Leicester Business Festival provides these businesses with the tools to work better together, effectively encouraging collaboration for the good of the city - through its networking opportunities and free, informative events.

“Leicester’s property and construction sector is booming – this area has some of the country’s brightest and most innovative firms which are creating new opportunities and truly transformative schemes. Leicester is on the cusp of greatness and Pick Everard is incredibly proud to be a part of it.”

The Business Festival - now in its fourth year, is the largest business event in the region. More than 100 free business events spanning eleven key sectors, will be taking place during the fortnight and over 5000 people are expected attend.

Property and construction events in the Business Festival events are free and open to anyone to attend, however, they must be booked in advance. Tickets to all events are available through www.leicesterbusinessfestival.com or via the new LBF app, free to download on Google Play or the Apple Store.

Along with headline partners, Leicester Castle Business School, the 2018 Festival has the support of well-known business organisations including East Midlands Chamber; LLEP Business Gateway; East Midlands Airport; Brewin Dolphin; University of Leicester School of Business; Highcross Leicester; Shakespeare Martineau; and the FSB.

Other supporters include Everards Brewery; De Montfort University; Pattersons Commercial Law; Growth Partners PLC and the Institute of Directors, as well as official app partner Infonote; AV media partner, The Presentation Group; Coffee partner, 200 degrees; and media partners, Cross Productions and Capital Radio.

For more information, visit www.leicesterbusinessfestival.com, contact hello@leicesterbusinessfestival.com or call 0116 464 5995.