MIPIM | Bolton means business: Regeneration enters exciting phase

As the North of England delegation gathers at MIPIM, it’s great to see how much optimism and ambition is in the air, writes Sam Heyes of Mountain Earth. The real challenge facing the North is how we bridge the gap between ambitious plans and the reality of the build.

Developers, local authorities, contractors, lawyers, financiers, architects, engineers, and more gathered together at Gare Maritime in Cannes on Monday evening to celebrate the start of the global property convention.

Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said the gap between the two cities is closing after he unveiled a nine-figure regeneration war chest in Cannes.

The development of the new ground and the surrounding area should celebrate the diversity of Old Trafford as an ‘incredibly welcoming place’, according to Cllr Tom Ross, Leader of Trafford.

We are currently delivering two projects that illustrate why secondary cities require a fundamentally different approach than established markets, writes Nick Mullins of Axis-RE.

Senior representatives from Saudi development New Marabba and the University of Sheffield are among the latest additions to Place’s North of England and Scotland programme.

Matthew Pennycook is the latest UK government official to join the list of those attending the global property convention in Cannes.

The Leeds-headquartered building regulations and compliance adviser is looking forward to representing the North of England on the international stage in three weeks’ time.

From a Dragon’s Den-style showcase of the most investable areas in the North to a deep dive into the region’s untapped economic potential – the North of England MIPIM calendar of events is filled with dynamic and engaging sessions that put the region in the global spotlight.

East Riding of Yorkshire Council Leader Cllr Anne Handley and Salford City Council head of partnerships and investment Sarah Ashurst spoke at the dinner, each making the case for why their communities belong on the global stage.

The local authority has extended its long-running programme of activity with Place North, including heading to the global expo with the North of England delegation next month.

From what to pack to how to manage your diary, those attending the ‘How to do MIPIM well’ event benefited from a series of top tips from veterans of the global property conference.

Hear about what is new at this year’s global property convention and get tips on how to make the most of the event by watching this video discussion between MIPIM’s UK director Jake Tappenden-Lowe and Place North’s Dino Moutsopoulos and Julia Hatmaker.

The government’s regeneration and housing agency has confirmed its attendance at the international real estate show in March, agreeing a partnership with Place North.

“Blackpool is ready for global investment,” said Will Chamberlain, associate director at the global commercial real estate advisor. “We’re committed to connecting the right partners to make it happen.”

Scotland’s return to MIPIM, powered by Place, is gaining strength with the confirmation that Scotland’s fourth-largest city will be making the trip to “forge important strategic relationships”.

Headed to the global property convention in Cannes in March? Join the North of England delegation for access to exclusive, high-quality networking events, proven profile-raising activity, and practical advice for making the most of your time at the summit.

Benjamin Hobbs of Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Abiola Ogunsami of Muse Places, and Lydia McGuinness of Wates Construction will head to Cannes for the global property convention as part of organiser RX’s programme to promote the next generation of real estate leaders.

Keen to gain an intimate understanding of how the public and private sectors are thinking about the future, the growing construction firm is heading to Cannes with Place in 2026 for a week of relationship building and information gathering.