POTENTIAL investors are to be treated to a triple whammy of new development launches at the second Invest in Nottingham day.

The event, on Thursday, will include official launches for the Southside business district, the new Portal data centre and Westfield's latest plans for the Broadmarsh Centre.

Organisers hope that these launches, held amid tours, presentations and networking events, will help sell Nottingham as a first-rate business destination.

"The whole event is to make the outside world more aware of Nottingham as a great place to do business," said Nottingham Development Enterprise chairman Roger Summerton, who has chaired a sounding board of over 20 private businesses to shape the event.

This second Invest in Nottingham day is considerably larger than last year's debut. Following the success of the first event, some 40 private businesses have shown their support including East Midlands Trains and Alliance Boots. Savills, Weavers Wines, BWB Consulting and Nottingham Girls' High School are also holding open days.

The event has been further boosted by previews at this year's international MIPIM property show and a London launch at Centre Point in April.

Nottingham's business and local authority leaders are keen to show potential investors how many major cultural, development and infrastructure projects have gone ahead in Nottingham in a year.

These include the opening of Nottingham Contemporary, the regeneration of Nottingham Trent University's Arkwright and Newton buildings, Emnet's 90,000 sq ft data Portal and the Antennae and Confetti digital and creative centres.

"There are a lot of projects coming through that are very positive," said Mr Summerton. "We've also got the development of Midland Station as a transport Hub, the tram development and the Southside business district."

The event will begin at 10.30am at Nottingham Contemporary on Thursday. Organisers stress that Nottingham businesses must invite potential investors from outside the area to attend the day. E-mail nina@investinnottingham.co.uk

See next Tuesday's Business Post for a more detailed look at what is on offer.