Your say / Bristol Arena
‘I hope that a mixed use development can proceed swiftly at Temple Island’
We are all about what is best for the city and the economy of the wider city region and we strongly support a top-class arena for Bristol that is delivered in a way that brings the most benefit to businesses and residents. Bristol is a successful and thriving city, but investment in housing, business space and transport infrastructure are all needed and are priorities for our members.
It is right, therefore, to look closely at how public-sector investment for Temple Island can be best used to unlock growth and jobs, and support the city in provision of front line services, before committing to action that will impact people who live and work here and challenges the legacy for future generations.
Bristol Chamber of Commerce & Initiative supports a wider vision of the future development of the whole of the city, including the city centre and the Temple Meads site is an important part of this. But it is only one part of a much bigger vision that comprises several components including an arena, a conference facility, a 5-star hotel and much needed housing.
is needed now More than ever
That’s why we support an option that delivers best value derived from the use of public land and borrowing – a high quality, sustainable mixed development at Temple Island and private sector arena elsewhere, with investment in transport infrastructure. To move forward and explore these options is far from a betrayal of the city; it’s a sensible and pragmatic approach that deserves to succeed.
We don’t want this decision overshadowed by politics and we hope partners seize the opportunities presented by this new approach and that development can proceed swiftly at Temple Island.
Richard Bonner is president of Business West
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