Decision

City Brand Strategy

Decision Maker: Cabinet

Outcome: Recommendations approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: Yes

Date of Decision: October 13, 2025

Purpose: Adoption of new city brand strategy to re-position the city as a place to live and work. To support attraction of new talent to the city and jobs growth.

Content:   Purpose of Report   Update to Cabinet following completion of the work to create a Brand repositioning Strategy for the city.     Decision   Cabinet agreed to:   1. Support the city-wide brand strategy and new narratives to position Plymouth as a place to ‘live, work, study and visit’.   Reason:   To create positive external perceptions of the city and repositioning Plymouth as somewhere to live, work, study and invest. This in turn will support long term growth in the city particularly the work of  ‘Team Plymouth’, Plan 4 Homes, and the Local Economic Strategy.   2. Adopt key components of the city branding work including narratives and visuals and ‘main streams’ them into key delivery programmes including ‘Team Plymouth’, Homes England housing development, recruitment initiatives and Plymouth Plan where consistent, positive city wide messaging is required.   Reason:   To ensure that consistent messaging reflecting the strengths, unique personality, character and positives of Plymouth are used widely both within the city and externally and are amplified outwards. This will help to change perceptions of the city over time.   3. Mandate Destination Plymouth to a broader remit as a city-wide place marketing organisation with strategic responsibility for leading the brand strategy and implementation, positioning the city’s ‘place’ brand going forwards as well as continuing to drive the Visitor Plan.   Reason:   To provide strong and broad city leadership and focused support for the city’s place brand.   4. Recognise the support of key city partners in funding and driving this work forwards.   Reason: The creation of the City Brand Strategy, research to support it, key city narratives and new visuals would not have been possible without funding from Babcock, Princess Yachts, University of Plymouth, The Box and UK shared Prosperity fund. Alternative options considered and rejected   Cabinet considered the alternative options as set out in the report.

Supporting Documents

Cabinet report October 13th 2025 City Brand strategy final signed 02.10.2025.pdf
Climate Impact Assessment City brand strategy final signed 02.10.25.pdf
Presentation.pdf
Equalities impact assessment City Brand Strategy signed 22.09.2025.pdf

Related Meeting

Cabinet - Monday 13 October 2025 2.00 pm on October 13, 2025