COMMENT: This is why leaders from across the Chichester region are committed to telling the story of what a great place this is

Anyone who lives or works in the greater Chichester area knows what a fabulous place it is. The stunning Chichester Harbour and shoreline to the south are framed by the magnificence of the South Downs. Within are dotted a supreme array of towns, villages, and hamlets with the Roman city and its colossal cathedral the crowning glory.

Beyond landscape, culturally it is studded with jewels. The Festival Theatre - plus Minerva and Nest and the Youth Theatre - of global renown. Pallant House. The Weald and Downland. West Dean. Petworth House. Cowdray.

The Goodwood Estate, one of the country's largest organic farms with motorsports, horseracing, golf, the Festival of Speed and Revival, is the envy of enthusiasts the world over. The greatest luxury car company Rolls-Royce Motor Cars manufactures every single vehicle that wears its brand at its environmentally-sensitive factory just down the road ... and proudly proclaims with a capital 'H' in all is literature that Chichester is its Home.

This magnificent story where culture, environment and ambition blend with seamless ease was told with a new passion and confidence to stakeholders across the region at Pallant House Gallary.

Described as The Big Idea it was presented with the phrase ‘Chichester: where culture thrives, the environment inspires, and your ambition aspires.’

As someone who is incredibly proud of the area, it was a genuine privilege to hear these key messages.

Now begins the work to share what we so often take for granted with a much wider audience - guided by a 'Place Board' and Ambassadors. All of them giving of their time, and talent and expertise as volunteers.

For the truth is, despite our global assets, outside of West Sussex many people - especially those looking to invest in business growth and quality jobs for our young people - have only the haziest of ideas of why they should come here.

But with the University of Chichester and the Chichester College Group this is a community that is wholly focussed on equipping the next of our generation with the skills they will need to succeed.

So at the unveiling of the Chichester Story we heard from the Leader of Chichester District Council Adrian Moss who, with his colleagues and officers, has spearheaded the drive. There were heartfelt talks from Lloyd McNeill of the Goodwood Estate, Ana Palmer the Managing Director of Thesis Technology Products, Jess Blake-Lobb from Chichester Festival Theatre, and John Till who gave the external perspective and explained how other UK cities who told their story in a coherent way had attracted huge inward investment.

Paul Rolfe from the Chichester Chamber of Commerce pieced each segment of the evening together beautifully before an inspired concluding talk from Helen Marshall Chair of Chichester BID describing the next steps.

Chichester and the region in which it lives is not perfect. There is a need for more business space for growing enterprises; for ensuring the outcomes are relevant especially to the young. The speed of travel along the A27 has been long documented. But as John Till said, the area has so many wonderful things going for it that by sharing the story far and wide as well as closer to home - unanimously and confidently - we can make it even better.

There is a real optimism that by working together and taking a consistent story to major external forums like UKREiiF - the UK's Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum, a major annual industry event and networking platform – we can build on the brilliance that makes this area so special.

In a negative, downbeat age, in this part of the world there is so much about which to be positive. #ChichesterStory