I have always maintained that Nottingham is the friendliest place in the world (probably), but a new moniker is being sought!

The “Big Summer Clean” is being launched today by the City Council. The campaign is in its second year and the hope is to make the place the cleanest city in the UK by 2011. We are currently in 4th place behind Leicester, Southampton and Liverpool according to the Audit Commission.

But this new campaign requires everyones help. Communities are being asked to clean up their own neighbourhoods. The targets are litter, graffitti and fly-tipping. What really caught my eye was the news that money raised from on-the-spot fines for littering is being reinvested to keep the streets clean.

This is not rocket science – we just need the people of Nottingham to be proud of the city. And leave it as you would want to find it. Old fashioned maybe, but it makes a lot of difference. Seeing clean streets makes everyone feel better about the place.

In my work I come across investors who have the capability (if they choose to locate in Nottingham) of creating jobs. Real jobs. And their first impressions count when they come here.

There will be a number of events launched from today which can be found here.

So Nottingham will be the friendliest AND cleanest place in the UK (probably)…