Leading politicians and policymakers from across the political spectrum will be flocking to York for the Big Tent Ideas Festival next week, to be held in the grounds of York Minster.
The event, on 17 June, focusing on regeneration, is attracting government ministers, members of the shadow frontbench, MPs and councillors from York and North Yorkshire – as well as such influential figures as Greg Dyke, former director-general of the BBC, Melissa Benn, journalist and campaigner, and Mark Robinson, the chair of the government’s High Street Taskforce.
Designed to showcase local innovation as well as the challenges York faces, the Big Tent will look at issues such as reviving high streets, the role of tourism in driving regeneration and how to develop successful business clusters.
The Festival, on Saturday 17 June, is open to all and expected to attract up to 2,000 people to the centre of York to enjoy political debate, drama, art, a Speakers Corner, and a range of other entertainment and food for thought.
One of the six key themes this year is economic and physical regeneration. Highlighted sessions in this stream include how communities can shape their own future – with particular reference to the large regeneration project York Central and with a panel that includes Greg Dyke; the role that private business can play in regeneration with speakers including former Business Secretary, Sir Vince Cable, and the impact of Brexit, Covid and war in Ukraine on the work-force with Shadow Immigration Minister Stephen Kinnock MP.
Check out the full programme here.
Big Tent even has its very own ‘Pitch Pit’ where pre-selected local entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to pitch for real investment from Big Tent’s own business angels.
And for those local businesses that haven’t been selected to pitch, there will be the Big Tent Entrepreneurs Pit Stop with Science Minister George Freeman MP, representatives of York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub and the Big Tent investors, to chat informally about the opportunities and challenges currently faced.
So, whatever your interest, the Big Tent is a big win for York business. Please join us.
Tickets for the Big Tent Ideas Festival are free but must be registered here
The Big Tent Leaders Summit and Ideas Festival is partnered by the City of York Council, Aviva, Joseph Rowntree Foundation, York Festival of Ideas, the Design Council, York Minster, York BID, the Helmsley Group, the Institute for Social Justice, York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub, Historic England, the Religion Media Centre and NHSA.