A PACKED audience of business and council leaders has hailed The Press’s new York Means Business film at its premiere at the Mansion House.

The film, created by award-winning filmmaker Christopher David, of York-based Flash Frame Productions, was branded “fantastic and positive” by York council leader Andrew Waller, who said it would help York “get out there and sell the benefits of the city in a highly competitive world”.

The Lord Mayor of York, John Galvin, said the film was “excellent”, adding: “It’s a wonderful example of the media working with the local authority.”

Denise Stuart, chief executive of the inward investment agency, york-england.com, said York was a fantastic destination for business but it was in competition with the rest of the world and always had to be proactively promoted.

“The DVD will enable york-england.com to continue the very important role of attracting business and growing the economy to create jobs for our local people.”

Mr David said the eight-minute film, created as part of The Press’s York Means Business campaign to promote and support the region’s economy during the recession, had two key aims: “Firstly, to blow apart the negative myths and preconceptions that so many people have about life in the north, and secondly to replace those preconceptions with positive views of a brilliant city, with great people in a beautiful region.

“This film is designed to attract business leaders to re-locate to York.”

He said he had wanted to show York not as an historical backwater from the Viking era but as positive, vibrant and full of potential for the 21st century.

He said: “In the film, the city comes across as a great place to do business, set against a beautiful visual backdrop with a wonderful quality of life – and that’s very important.

“If we can attract more new business into the area everyone benefits. Don’t think of the ‘business community’ as separate. If business succeeds the community benefits; and what’s good for the community is good for business – it’s symbiotic. York has so much to offer growing businesses: York is more cost-effective than the south east. We have brilliant transport links across the UK and Europe. First class schools, and an extensive pool of talent and skills helped, not least, by two world-class universities and great colleges. I really wanted to do this film. I love York, and I want other people to be passionate and enthusiastic about it, too.”

• Sound and projection of the film yesterday was by Saville Audio Visual.

• To ask for a copy of the DVD, email gareth.murphy@york-england.com


Film proves a winner

Some key quotes from the film’s interviews with top York business people:

• “Fantastic universities, fantastic colleges, great schools and world-class employers.” David Rennie, managing director Nestle Confectionery UK.

• “I was completely captivated by the whole ‘York experience’.” Liam O’Brien, TSYS International.

• “We’re constantly on the lookout for talented, motivated staff and York provides us with exactly what we need.” Andrew Wass, managing director Gear4Music Ltd.