A century of pride, with scope for more: why 2026 is a special year for Portsmouth

This year marks a century since the vibrant waterfront area we call home was granted official city status.

The start of the year saw Portsmouth City Council launch its bid to become the UK’s City of Culture in 2029, a modern day vote of confidence in Portsmouth as a flourishing place.

Here at Chinneck Shaw, we’ve been reflecting on the cultural roots of our company, one of Portsmouth’s longest established businesses dating back even further than that centennial claim, all the way to 1883.

Of course we are not the only firm to have long served our vibrant seafront city. There is no shortage of other businesses who have played a key role in Portsmouth’s growth too.

Many in our business community will be looking forward once again to the annual Portsmouth & South Coast Business Week.

This is a week of free-of-charge activities organised by Hampshire Chamber of Commerce and partners from industry and the public, charity and education sectors.

It includes opportunities for networking, regional collaborations and continued business growth.

Since its inception back in 2021, Portsmouth & South Coast Business Week has expanded far beyond its initial online meetings and now boasts an array of highly accessible in-person events at venues across the region.

In fact, the previous three years have seen more than 3,000 delegates attend over 100 events, with a growing reach of more than 30,000 individuals through daily LinkedIn Live videos.

Portsmouth & South Coast Business Week is set to take place against a growing and highly promising regional backdrop. Economic inactivity across Portsmouth has continued to decrease in the last three years, and Portsmouth’s Enterprise Centres remain at near full capacity, providing affordable space to over 150 businesses in the local area.

Additionally, the City Buildings in the heart of Portsmouth’s centre have benefited from recent refurbishment and now house local businesses and social value organisations, alongside Portsmouth Creates, the anchor tenant leading the city’s UK City of Culture 2029 bid.

The strengths of the city as a destination have undoubtedly contributed to the impressive 34% increase in visitor numbers for regional events, such as the Southsea Food Festival.

Last year, the festival attracted 63,000 visitors and generated roughly £1.5 million for the local economy. The event, alongside Portsmouth Creates, also helped drive over £770,000 in external investment for the creative sector in 2025.

In other promising events, the annual Portsmouth Property Association dinner is quickly approaching, an event we are proud to be sponsoring. The charity dinner is Portsmouth’s very own premier, black-tie networking event for local property professionals like us.

Much more than your average business get-together, the dinner plays a vital role in supporting the Spark Community Space and fosters both existing and new connections among commercial property professionals in the Portsmouth region.

It is opportunities like these that have allowed businesses such as ours to grow and succeed while building and maintaining our local presence.

And it’s why we look confidently to the opportunities 2026 will bring for us and the wider business community.

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