Organisations come together to ensure £800m is spent in city

Major public sector organisations have joined forces to launch the 'Wolverhampton Pound' – and pledged to keep more than £834 million collective spending power within the city.

Wolverhampton Council, Wolverhampton College, the Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, Wolverhampton University and Wolverhampton have signed an agreement.

The agreement commits to spending more money within the city and working with businesses, communities and the voluntary sector to retain local wealth, create new jobs and opportunities for residents.

The approach, known as community wealth building, has been successfully adopted in Preston, in Lancashire, where the council credits the initiative with creating 1,600 new jobs, £74 million of investment into the city and £200 million into the regional economy.

Wolverhampton Council leader, Councillor Ian Brookfield, said: “The city’s public sector has massive spending power and through the Wolverhampton Pound, we will prioritise local firms and organisations when it comes to spending it.

“Together, we can really benefit our local economy and our communities by harnessing the power of the Wolverhampton Pound to deliver projects which benefit our people rather than companies based miles away.

“This approach really works, up in Preston millions has been invested into the city and they have moved out of the 20 most deprived places in the UK.”

Professor Nazira Karodia, pro vice-chancellor regional engagement at Wolverhampton University, said: “We are delighted to be a partner in this exciting initiative which will provide valuable opportunities for our students, graduates, staff and the wider community.

“The Wolverhampton Pound will create a cultural and creative city - and creative industries lie at the centre of our plans to reimagine and transform our city centre.”

Shaun Aldis, chief executive of Wolverhampton Homes, added: "I am delighted that Wolverhampton Homes is able to be part of this fantastic initiative. As a major employer within the city, we see it as our duty to give back to the communities we serve.

"With a property portfolio of around 22,000 homes and over 700 staff, we invest millions in projects and programmes every year to maintain and uplift neighbourhoods across Wolverhampton.

"By utilising this spending power closer to home, we hope to not only boost local business and create job opportunities, but also to reduce our carbon footprint as we strive towards a greener city."