THE BIG QUESTION: Should we be joining forces with Bristol in a 'Super City Region'?

Business Argus has asked the local business community what they would think about this 'Super City Region'...

Mike Jenkins, partner, HardingEvans Solicitors, Newport

If Cardiff, Newport and Bristol don’t work together there is a real risk that the area will lose out in terms of significant central government investment particular in terms of infrastructure. The northern hubs are already light years ahead in terms of infrastructure investment such as HS2. It is about time that central government focused its attention westwards rather than northwards. The electrification of the railway line to Swansea and the M4 relief road are welcome starts but a more Cardiff, Newport, Bristol centric approach would reap huge dividends. A 'join the dots' approach to lobby central government would enable us to exploit opportunities as the proposed Severn Estuary Barrage.

Guy Jones, NatWest's director of commercial banking for Cardiff and East Wales, who is based in Newport

The formation of the Cardiff Capital Region is exciting and gives great opportunities to work toward increased private sector and European funding and a more cohesive vision toward capital projects, including transport. For Newport I see the chance of investment that has previously been routed to the capital. The concept of a wider 'Super' region is difficult to contemplate when we consider Bristol sits in a different country, we could expect further devolution in Wales and we do have differing cultures that we are rightly proud of. The opportunity for much greater collaboration is, however, compelling. Rather than competing for investment I would welcome a common and agreed investment strategy that benefits Severnside as a whole. A Severn Barrage would typify this.

Dan Smith, M4 Property Consultants, Newport

As someone who has lived in Newport and worked in Bristol and vice versa, I strongly believe strengthening ties between the three cities mentioned, would provide great benefits to our local economy. At present Cardiff, Newport and Bristol are very much working independently. Whilst they are each unique and have their own selling points, there should also be some joined up thinking to help improve and promote the 'Severnside area' and ensure that rather than competing against each other, they work together to enhance the region. Cardiff is the capital of Wales and Newport cannot compete with that, but it can complement it. However, further joint initiatives to improve transport, increase tourism and encourage inward investment are required in order to achieve this. With Bristol. the severnbridge is often seen by local people as a massive divide. However, many of the businesses we talk to, particularly in the industrial sector, don’t see it that way and are seeking accommodation in this area to service both South Wales and the south west of England. The stronger we can make theSevernside region and the more appealing it becomes to live, work and play, the greater the opportunities we in Newport will have of attracting these businesses. Newport should definitely be involved in the discussions with regards to a super city region.

Douglas Haig, vice chairman and director for Wales of the Residential Landlords Association and member of the Cwmbran Landlord Forum

Bristol's growth has been impressive and is often seen as a competitor city for Cardiff when companies are looking at having a base in the South West. A focus on the two cities of Cardiff and Newport working together is going to be of huge benefit for the Gwent area. Lying in the middle it will become an obvious location for distribution, but also ideal for people to base themselves. A great deal of thought needs to be given to ensure the transport system can cope as well as appropriate investment in housing in the area and infrastructure around it. It is a good opportunity for Gwent to place itself as a key part of the super city region but very important for those in control to plan it carefully.

Paul Byett, managing partner at UHY Hacker Young chartered accounts, Newport

In order for south east Wales to thrive there has to be cooperation and competition between the two cities. It is a fact that Newport lags behind Cardiff in retail offering, but many Newport businesses in other sectors outperform their Cardiff neighbours. With the transport links improving and IT advances there is no reason why the two markets could not combine and take on the rest of the UK. The traditional divide between Newport and Cardiff among the 'rugby generation' has come crashing down. So bring on the Carport (or should I say Newdiff) super-city, but mentioning Bristol is just not a reality and will not happen. Bristol is a brilliant city in a different country, with its own super-city status so why would they join us? And by the way they have to pay £6.40 to come to Wales to compete with Newdiff.

Andy Wilkins, CEO of Plutus Health, Newport

While it can be argued that business is business wherever you are, there are cultural and social differences each side of the Severn which might be difficult to overcome. A larger south east Wales business region will bring economies of scale in many areas to help manage costs and facilitate an overall marketing and promotion strategy suited to the region as a whole. However, it is also important for both cities to retain their own identities. Over time I could see big brother Cardiff exerting influence to its benefit rather than Newport’s. The people and economies of the surrounding areas such as Monmouthshire, Torfaen, Caerphilly, Rhondda Cynon Taff and others should also be considered as they are inextricably linked to the city economies.

Clive Thomas, managing partner of Watkins & Gunn, Newport

I think that Bristol is unlikely to be interested in being part of a 'super city region' with Newport and Cardiff. It is fiercely independent as a city, which is evidenced by initiatives such as the Bristol pound. There is also a healthy rivalry between Newport and Cardiff but, despite this, I think that this can be overcome if there is shown to be an overwhelming commercial benefit to the cities.

Graham Morgan, director of the South Wales Chamber of Commerce

Across the world, especially in Europe, city regions have been created as a catalyst for economic growth and provide a framework for the public, private and academic sectors to come together for the good of a region. The South Wales Chamber of Commerce has, therefore, been pleased that the Welsh Government has created the Cardiff Capital City Region. The priority now is for the appointed board of the city region to set out a clear vision and objectives which would rally the support of businesses right across south east Wales. With the appropriate foundations in place for a successful city region in south east Wales, we could then reach out to the UK and beyond to establish strategic alliances to maximise economic regeneration and opportunities over the next 20 years. A natural first partner would be our near neighbours across the Severn estuary. There are areas for development which have total synergy between south east Wales and Bristol, such as the opportunities surrounding energy generation and the Severn Barrage. It would be beneficial to the whole of the UK if the two areas could work together to harness the potential here. With strong city regions in south east Wales and south west England the two could work together to further enhance the opportunities of working on a ‘super-regional’ basis.