News release
Date: 19th March 2008
New project highlights Leicester's ambition
Leicester is aiming to raise its regional and national profile significantly with a new initiative launched in the city (Wednesday 19th March 2008).
Featuring the many activities and developments that are currently changing the face of the city – such as the opening of Curve and Highcross Leicester, the development of a new digital media centre and the completion of the main city centre pedestrianisation improvements – the new One Leicester project will now highlight the city's ambitions for the future. It will provide a showcase for the many opportunities for businesses, investors and visitors, as well as encouraging local pride in the city.
Launching One Leicester, Leicester City Council leader, Councillor Ross Willmott, said:
This is one of the most exciting and encouraging years in Leicester's recent history. Many of the major developments we have been working on and supporting over the last decade are coming to fruition, gaining for Leicester a much stronger regional and national profile.
This profile is vital if we are to attract further investment and growth for our city. But we can't just sit back and say 'job done'. We must continue to build on these opportunities if we are to create prosperity for the people of Leicester and create a city we can all be proud of.
That is why we are now raising our game still further and, through One Leicester, aiming to make a much bigger impact.
The initiative has already won widespread support across the city with key public, private and voluntary sector groups and individuals expressing their commitment.
Partnering the city council in the new initiative is Leicester Shire Promotions, the agency responsible for promoting Leicester to visitors and potential investors.
Leicester Shire Promotions chief executive, Martin Peters, said:
The image and identity of a city like Leicester plays a pivotal role in the decision-making processes of potential visitors and investors. We've already made good progress in getting these groups and people to understand what the city is offering. By introducing the One Leicester programme, the city is adopting a single, unified identity that will enable a step change in how the city wants to be perceived.
One Leicester will have resonance not only within the city with residents and workers, but also with those people outside of Leicester planning to visit, work or invest here.
Initially included under the One Leicester umbrella are major initiatives supported by the city council around education and schools, physical regeneration activities across the city and, crucially, the citywide 25-year vision that is currently being finalised and agreed.
During 2008 activities are being planned to celebrate the completion of the major regeneration works across the city. The One Rhythm dance festival will make use of the space that has been created by the public realm works across the city.
The first public One Leicester campaign will feature a number of Leicester people – some famous, some not – explaining why they love their city. Posters will begin to feature on poster sites across the city and on buses shortly after Easter. Included in the famous names supporting the campaign are Rosemary Conley, Austin Healey, Alan Birchenall, Mark Selby and Jayant Mistry. Local supporters featured on the posters include Tom Clarke of Leicester City Council's Cleaner City team, Edmund Isaacs, who is an East Midlands Trains customer service officer and Keji Mustapha, a law student at De Montfort University.
A One Leicester website has been established (www.oneleicester.com) which will be built up over the next few months to include more information about Leicester and national campaigns are being planned for later in the year. The site currently includes a feedback form where users can let us know 'One thing they love about Leicester'.
The One Leicester brand has been developed by local company Eazytiger, who will be working with the city council and Leicester Shire Promotions over the coming months to develop further opportunities.
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