The Stronger Hereford Vision – Hereford aspires to be one of the greenest and fairest cities in the country, with fantastic opportunities and quality of life for people of all ages. Deeply rooted in our unique rural heritage, we’re blossoming into a richly creative, digital, connected and highly-skilled place to live, work, study, invest and visit.
Hereford’s Key Assets & Strengths
Global and national heritage assets – A world class cathedral and treasures of international significance including royal charters dating back to Richard I, the Friars Street Collections of historical objects/antiquities and over 300 listed buildings.
Resilient city centre – Significant potential to repurpose the city centre
re-emphasising links with its rural hinterland, with Herefordshire Council as a major landlord of key assets such as Maylord Shopping Centre and the Museum. In October 2020, Zzoomm announced that it will be providing a new full fibre network to cover the entire city.
A signature river corridor – Providing opportunities around enhanced leisure and green transport options. More widely, the city hinterland includes outstanding landscape, food and drink and leisure assets.
Increasingly vibrant cultural economy – Featuring the oldest classical music festival in the world, the triennial Three Choirs Festival. Also the
regionally prominent Courtyard Theatre. Key initiatives include the Powerhouse Theatre Company, Encore Music Service and a growing cluster of maker and creative businesses.
A creative social economy – Well-established organisations linked to inclusive development, including Rural Media and Pedicargo. Hereford enjoys high levels of volunteering, self-help and participation in community activities. Leadership is provided by Herefordshire Voluntary Organisations
Support Service (HVOSS) and Vennture.
Pool of 7,000 full and part time post 16 students (14% of population) and four centres of learning – HCA and NMITE have a nationally distinctive profile. We recognise that our young people must feel that they have a stake in the future of our city; the inclusion of the Holmer Extreme Sports Hub in our investment plan reflects this.
Platform for economic development via Skylon Park – Including new business space for early start and startup businesses in the Shell Store business incubation centre.
Significant defence cluster – With significant high technology capability.
A dynamic food and drink sector – A recent survey by Legges of Bromyard identified more than 120 independent food and drink producers in the
county. There is an emerging artisan food quarter in the heart of Hereford’s medieval city.
Increasing significance of health and care as a growing employer – Spearheaded by the Wye Valley NHS Trust, the core impetus for One Herefordshire, which joined the Government’s One Public Estate (OPE) programme in April 2017.
“WE SHOULD CONNECT MORE WITH OUR STUNNING RURAL COUNTRYSIDE. HEREFORD SHOULD BE THE GREENEST CITY IN THE COUNTRY.” Mike Truelove, CEO, Hereford BID.
“SINCE STARTING A RULE OF TUM IN LATE 2013, IT HAS BEEN A PRIVILEGE TO BE AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE BLOSSOMING FOOD REVOLUTION IN HEREFORD.” Dorian Kirk, Co-founder, A Rule of Tum restaurants.
“WE WORK WITH OTHER VOLUNTEER ORGANISATIONS TO PROVIDE A WEB OF CARE FOR 5,000 VULNERABLE PEOPLE IN HEREFORD WHO
FALL OUTSIDE STATUTORY SERVICES.” Rob Thomas MBE, Lead Executive
Officer, Vennture.
To find out more about the 15 exciting projects lined up for Hereford, please take time to visit – https://strongerhereford.co.uk/
