An ambitious strategy to make the Mansfield district an attractive place to live, work, invest, and visit is under way.

Make it in Mansfield is hailed as an inspirational vision with bold targets for the future of the area.

Designed on four pillars — Build thriving communities, Create opportunities for all, Grow a vibrant economy, and Enjoy a happy life — it is the start of new, positive thinking and action for Mansfield, say those behind the 10-year strategy.

Make it in Mansfield has been developed by Mansfield Place Board — an alliance of local leaders, businesses, and other organisations.
The chair of the Board, Andrew Cropley, said: “We are determined to build an era of new prosperity and progress. This is our vision — using the ‘power of positive’ to create a confident future for Mansfield.”

The good news is that the campaigners will be building on a solid platform. For their research, which included asking people what they wanted for the future of the district, shows it is already in a strong position when you look at some of the numbers highlighted in the strategy.

For example there are:

74 national retail brands
88 independent shops
27 new town centre businesses

And more than 425 new businesses remained in business after their first year.

Make it in Mansfield’s optimism was supported by a national study last year from the School of Marketing, which said the Mansfield was the best town in England for new businesses.

And more good news is that the district is already beginning to benefit from tens of millions of pounds of national funding that has been earmarked for big local projects.

The forward-looking campaign and its immediate and long-term objectives and plans are due to be outlined further to business networking group Mansfield and Ashfield 2020 at the end of January, by Andrew Cropley.

“Our strategy is the culmination of months of work, looking at what makes Mansfield great, listening to people, and exploring where opportunities lie to create a new vibrant and forward-looking story for Mansfield,” he added.

“These are exciting times and we are fully committed to working together across the district to deliver our strategy and achieve our vision for local people, local businesses, and future generations to come.

“This is a time of real opportunity for Mansfield. This is a vision by, and for, all.”

Jay Rowlinson, chief executive of Mansfield BID, one of the Mansfield Place Board partners, said the vision was about looking forward and making positive changes — as well as being positive about the good things already happening. .

“For too long, there has been little change, little desire to take risk, way too much red tape, not enough positive communication, and too much toxic nostalgia for looking back instead of positively looking forward — and taking real steps for change,” he said.

“Last year, for example, working with partners and other key stakeholders in the town, we managed to put on 74 separate events in Mansfield.

“It was a great achievement and shows change is under way — and there is much to shout about.

“For example, did you know there are 74 national retail brands in the Mansfield area and even more independent shops?

“This new initiative is all about building on that, making positive changes and looking forward.”

The full Make it in Mansfield strategy can be found and downloaded at www.makeitinmansfield.uk

Let’s sweep away any negative perceptions

The 10-year strategy sets out priorities for ensuring Mansfield is a place where everyone can make it in life.

Its four key themes are:

Build thriving communities – so that people can be confident and ambitious, believe in a positive future, and are proud of Mansfield.
Create opportunities for all – by ensuring people have the right skills and can access well-paid local jobs.
Grow a vibrant economy – supporting local businesses to grow and attracting new ones to the district.
Enjoy a happy life – where local people are supported to be healthy and active.

Mansfield mayor Andy Abrahams, who helped to launch the initiative, The Mayor said: “This new strategy is all about making the district an attractive place to live, work, invest and visit, which is why it was so important for us to hear from as many people as possible about what they want for the future of their district.

“The feedback was fantastic. People told us what they like about Mansfield and what should be different. They want even more reasons to be proud of the place they call home. They want to be ambitious and forward-looking. And we are committed to making this a reality.

“People want better shops, entertainment, and leisure facilities. People are proud of our history, but more than 50 per cent want change.

“Now is the time to sweep away any negative perceptions away. Mansfield is already showing the blueprint for a town centre regeneration by putting people and services back into the town centre with the £20m Levelling Up Mansfield Connect project and the £16m White Hart Street housing development.

“These projects will breathe a new life, putting people and services back in the heart of our town centre.

“We have shown you can Make it in Mansfield for business, as Mansfield was identified as one of the most entrepreneurial towns in England for small business startups.

“We are Making it in Mansfield for entertainment with our Film Festival, One Fest, and the 72 events we put on last year with partners that stimulated the local economy.”