Help define best of Greater Birmingham and Solihull

Residents can share images, stories and key words via a new website.

Residents and businesses in Greater Birmingham and Solihull have been asked to share their views on their local area through a new website, www.birminghamregion.co.uk/.

The site is part of the area’s competitive positioning project, commissioned by the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership. The project aims to identify how the LEP and its regional partners should promote the area internationally to businesses, tourists, the media and other organisations across the world.

Andy Street, Chair of the GBSLEP, said: “Locations from all parts of the globe are competing more closely than ever before – to attract the people, businesses, investment and talent that will generate more jobs and income for their areas.

“The Greater Birmingham and Solihull LEP area is attracting more foreign investment and visitors than previously, but we cannot expect this to continue without growing the area’s international reputation. To fully realise the economic future of Greater Birmingham, we must ensure that it truly stands out against its competitors.

“First, we need to define exactly what we will say about the Greater Birmingham region – a diverse area that stretches from southern Staffordshire to northern Worcestershire. We must tell this story in a convincing and credible way, which reflects the area’s unique strengths and opportunities.

“We can only define the real personality of the Greater Birmingham area if our consultation is truly inclusive. It needs to cover all of the district authorities, as well as the urban core. We want to reach as many people as possible, so we’re inviting members of the public from all parts of the region to visit our new website, and post their thoughts about where they live and work.”

Members of the public can share their stories, images and key words about the Greater Birmingham area by visiting the website, which will be live until 8th June. The feedback will be used to define the region’s identity as a place to live, invest, visit and do business.

The site is part of a wider consultation which has included group workshops, individual face-to-face meetings and analysis of existing research. The findings of the consultation will help to create a clear and engaging narrative about the area, helping the GBSLEP and its partners to promote the region’s story for years to come.

The positioning project is being managed by Marketing Birmingham, with place marketing specialist Heavenly leading on the consultation work.