MIPIM | Leaders plant Northern flag in ground at MIPIM 2025

Local authority leaders and decision-makers held court on the Place North stand on Tuesday 11 March to set their stalls out for the week.

Delegates gathered at MIPIM’s first ever Northern stand this morning to hear how councils will go about making this week a fruitful one for attracting capital to the North:

Nick Gerrard, growth and prosperity programme director, Blackpool Council
Stephanie Mullenger, interim director of property and housing, Salford City Council
Cllr Tom Ross, Leader, Trafford Council
Lee Fallows, director of corporate resources, Bolton Council
Jon Lowe, assistant director property and assets, Wigan Council
Michael Cullen, chief executive, Stockport Council 

From left: Bolton Council’s Lee Fallows, Wigan Council’s Jon Lowe, and Blackpool Council’s Nick Gerrard

Key points

Salford’s Mullenger said: “MIPIM will be really important for Salford” in terms of attracting additional investment to a growing city region.

She cited opportunities such as Western Gateway, where Port Salford is located, as one of the city’s biggest investment opportunities.

Housing is also high on the agenda.

“We built 400 homes last year, and we are on target to build another 400 this year,” she said.

Stockport chief executive Cullen, said: “MIPIM is an opportunity to showcase what is amazing about Stockport.

“We are showcasing what I believe is our strong track record of delivery.”

He cited the success of Town Centre West as an example of that track record and the potential of the east as an example of the council’s continued ambition.

Trafford leader Ross his MIPIM mission was all about showcasing the borough’s investment opportunities, especially around Old Trafford and Altrincham.

In years to come, he said: “Trafford will have a very rich cultural and sporting offer, and we will make sure local residents will have access to the offer.”

Bolton’s Fallows was bullish about what Bolton has to offer.

“Some of the things planned [in Bolton] you need to see to believe,” he said. He described Crompton Place, the borough’s flagship regeneration project, as a “once in a generation opportunity”.

Wigan’s Lowe was equally enthusiastic. “There’s something in the water with Wigan,” he said.

“We’ve got huge investments in reclaimed green space”

Blackpool is defined by “determination, not just the local authority but all the people in the town pull together”, Gerrard said.

“We have a £2bn growth prosperity plan, starting with plans for a CPO to create a multiversity.”

Place North is hosting the first ever North of England stand at MIPIM 2025

Place North West MIPIM 2025 coverage can be found on the MIPIM hub.