315° THE RDA MAGAZINE
JUNE 2008 ISSUE 15
CREATIVE ECON O M Y Globalprofileforcreativeindustries Haven forenterprise New driveforbusinessgrowth
Bluecoatreborn Rejuvenatedartscentredebut
Adventureunlimited Cumbriachases thrill seekers
PAGE 2 CONTENTS THE THIRD DEGREE 4 SirPhilipCraven
BUSINESS 6 Growth plan fordigital& creativesector -8 Region joinsrace forLondon 2012 business 10 Resource efficiencydrive 11 Pilotlessplane markettakingoff
12 Feeding the green shootsofenterprise 13 Starroleforwomen entrepreneurs
SKILLS AND EDUCATION 14 Universitybuildshealthyeconomy
PEOPLE AND JOBS 16 Blackburnpoised fora brighterfuture 18 Agency unveilsERDF programme 19 Drivetoimprove workplacehealth 20 More resourcestogrow ruraleconomy
INFRASTRUCTURE 22 Railschemes helpeconomy togrow
QUALITY OF LIFE 24 -Visitorsuccess forculturalshowcase 26 Museum boostforheritagetourism -27 Thrillseekershead forCumbria
REGULARS 28 Peopleinthe region 30 Eventhighlights 31 Gettingintouch
HIGHLIGHTS HAVEN FOR ENTERPRISE A package ofnew proposalstounlockthe Northwest'sfullenterprisepotentialhas been unveiledby the N W D A.
BLUECOAT REBORN
The re-openingweekend ofthe Bluecoatcentreforcontemporaryart,an inheritanceofLiverpool’sCapitalofCulture2008 title,attractedover10,000 people.
ADVENTURE UNLIMITED Promoted as “thebiggestadventureplayground inthe country”,Cumbriahas ambitiousplanstobecome the adventurecapitalofthe UK by 2012.
OUR VISION: ‘-A dynamic,sustainableinternationaleconomy which competes on the basisofknowledge,advanced technologyand an excellentqualityoflifefor all.’
Editor TrevorBates t.bates948@btinternet.com NWDA RachelOrmandy email:rachel.ormandy@nwda.co.uk tel:01925 400 237 visitwww.nwda.co.uk& www.visitenglandsnorthwest.com
PAGE 3 CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE
LEADING THE REGION 2008 marks anothersignificantand successfulyearforboth the N W DA and the regionas we make importantprogressindrivingforwardour strongambitionfor England’sNorthwest– tocontinuethe transformationofoureconomy. The progressofthe regionoverthe past5 yearshas been remarkable.Our majorcitieshave experienced unprecedented growth and we have createdover180,000 new jobsand secured £2.4 billionofprivatesectorinvestment.We have been abletoachievethisbecause as a regionwe have agreed our prioritiesand have been determined todeliveron these. The Agency’sstrongfocuson providingstrategicleadershiphas played a vitalroleinensuringwe createnew economic opportunitiesand tangibleresultsforthe regionaleconomy. As outlinedinthe RegionalEconomic Strategy(RES),itisclearthatthe focuson investinginsignificanttransformational projectsisalready payingdividendsand impactingpositively on our economy. April1stmarked the startofan importantperiodforthe Agency interms ofstrengtheningour strategicleadershiproleas we tookresponsibilityas ChairofChairsforthe 9 RegionalDevelopment Agencies.Thisrequiresthe Agency toactas the directlinkintocentralGovernmenton behalfofthe whole RDA networkuntilOctober2008. The ChairofChairsperiodwillbe challenging,howeveritwillalsogivethe Agency greaterimpactat
a nationallevel,a higherprofileand added responsibilityforagreeingnew goalsand targetsthatwill determineactivityinthe Northwestand throughoutthe country,particularlyas the Government’sSubNationalReview (SNR) takes shape. The SNR callsfora stronger,more strategicroleforRDAs, and isdesigned tostrengthenthe importanceofeconomic prioritiesata regional,sub-regionaland locallevel.Inmany ways itreflects the strengthsofour existingapproach inthe Northwestand ourstrong relationshipswithbusiness, GovernmentOfficeforthe NorthWest,the NorthWest RegionalAssemblyand LocalAuthorities. Here inthe Northwestwe have alreadybegun totake the firststeps indevelopingand implementing an integratedregionalstrategyforeconomic development,planning, housingand transport.Workingwithpartners,we are currentlyagreeingclearprioritiesforthe region and identifyinghow we can strengthen capacitywhere needed todelivereconomic development. Itisclearthatthe secrettothe region’ssuccess thus farhas been down todetermination,setting clearprioritiesand strongpartnershipworking.I’m pleased thatmany ofourpartnersinthe region continuetoshare thisambitionand visionforthe Northwest.Iwould liketothank you foryourongoing supportinhelpingtomake thisvisiona reality. Bryan Gray, Chairman, May 2008
PAGE 4-5 THE THIRD DEGREE SirPhilipCraven isan inspirationalfigureinthe worldofsport.Born, educated and still livinginthe Northwest,he triumphed overa disabling accidentas a teenagertobecome a fivetime paralympianinwheelchair basketball (1972-88) and a distinguishedcontributorand administratorinthe fieldof paralympicsport.He isa Board Member on the London 2012 Organising Com mitteeforthe Olympicand ParalympicGames (LOCOG) with responsibilityforthe Northwestand President ofthe InternationalParalympicCom mittee.
SIR PHILIP CRAVEN The regionseems tobe developinga talentforstagingmajorinternationalsportsevents.What’sthe recipeforsuccess? Peopleinthe Northwestare passionateaboutsport,whetherit’sfootball,rugby,cyclingor swimming.Thanks tothe 2002 ManchesterCom monwealthGames we alsohave the infrastructure. How didyou getintosport? Ialways loved sportwhen Iwas atBoltonSchool.They wanted me on the schoolteam at swimming,tennisand cricketbutnotatfootball!Then Ihad my accidentand the firstday inbed atthe NorthwestSpinalInjuriesUnitatSouthportIsaw wheelchairbasketballbeing played outdoors.It caused me tothinkthatmy plightwas no bigdealand Icouldstill playsport.Wheelchairbasketball suitedme perfectly.Iwas no good atfootballbutprettygood withmy hands.Things justsnowballed from therenationallyand internationally.
Tellus aboutthe accident-how didyou become disabled? IfellrockclimbinginWiltonQuarries,a recognisedmillstonegritclimbingarea NorthofBolton, when Iwas 16.Istood up afterthe fallthen satdown and thatmust have caused a break inmy spine. But ithas notstopped me enjoyinglifetothe full. Itravelthe worldthreeor fourtimes a yearand I’m away from my home near Crewe 200 to210 days on olympicand paralympicduties. So disabilityisno barriertoachieving greatthings? Absolutely.A lotofthe barriersthatpeopleperceivehave been knocked down by persons witha perceiveddisabilitybecause we are justnotstandingforbeing treateddifferently.We are peopleof the worldlikeanyone else.Idon’tlikethe word disabled– it’sa negativityand shouldn’tbe used.The greatthingaboutparalympicathletesisthattheygeton withusingwhat works and don’tworryabout what doesn’t. What are youraspirationsforthe London 2012 OlympicGames and ParalympicGames? Thisisa fantasticopportunityforthiscountryand I’m confidentLOCOG isgoing toputon a really greatGames. But it’sthe widereffectthe Games can have on the populationthatexcitesme. We hear a lotaboutthe obesityproblem and the need formore peopletoengage inphysicalactivity.Sportis an idealand enjoyableroutetoa healthierlifestyle.It’salsoa way ofeducatingyoung peopleinlife skillsso let’sgetthem involved,even ifit’sonlyplayingfootballonce a week inthe park,and let’sget parentsnotbeing fearfuloflettingkidsplayout. Where do the regionsfitinthe scheme ofthings? Make no mistake these are the nation’sGames. It’sgreatthatthe nine regionsofEngland and the threehome nationsare mobilisingthemselvestoplaya fullpartinthisincrediblecelebrationofsport and culture.Itwillputfreshenergy intothe regionsinterms ofnew business,tourism and cultural opportunities.Apartfrom the pure supplycontractsthere’sthe added valueofmaking companies better prepared forinternationalcompetition,togo outand sell. Are thereany parallelstobe drawn withthe 2002 Manchester Com monwealthGames? Yes.Inmy opinionIdon’tthinkwe had any chance ofwinningthe 2012 Games because Britaindid nothave a good reputationforstaginginternationaleventsuntilManchesterstaged the highly successfulCom monwealthGames. The legacyisthatthe Com monwealthGames helped us turnthe cornerand laidsome ofthe foundationsforwhat we hope willbe a verysuccessfuland rewarding Games in2012.Italsoleftbehind a valuablesportinginfrastructure,which contributestoour improvingperformance ina number ofsports. So you can see a correlationbetween havingthe ManchesterVelodrome and Britainwinningseven goldmedalsatthe recentWorld CyclingChampionships? For sure!Itshows thatBritishcyclinghas maximised the use ofthe facilities.Ifyou lookaround the worldthatdoesn’talways happen.Some wonderfulfacilitiesturnouttobe whiteelephantsbecause theyare underused.The otheroutstandinglegacyexample isthe main stadium atSportcity,which is now the home ofManchesterCityFC. Greatforwardthinking!You can’tgetbetterthan that. Can we expectmore investmentinsportsfacilitiesinthisregion? Yes,ifyou lookatthe ‘NorthwestLegacy Framework forthe 2012 Games’ one ofthe regional objectivesistodeliver2,012 high qualitysportsclubsby the time the London Olympicand Paralympic Games open.Facilitiesare a key partofensuringthatwe have a sportinginfrastructureinthe region thatisready tocapitaliseon the increased demand forsportand physicalactivitythatthe 2012 Games willgenerate.Thisisan area thatSportEngland iscurrentlyexploring. You’renow 57 – are you still physicallyactive? Yes,when time allows.Istillenjoyplayingwheelchairbasketballbutit’snow atthirddivisionlevel.I alsodo fivekilometresofroadworkonce or twicea week tokeep fit.My otherinterestsare gardening
and wine! For furtherinformation:www.london2012.com
“THE GREAT THING ABOUT PARALYMPIC ATHLETES IS THAT THEY GET ON WITH USING W HAT W O R KS AND DON’T W O R R Y ABOUT W HAT DOESN’T.” SIR PHILIP CRAVEN
PRESIDENT INTERNATIONAL PARALYMPIC CO M MITTEE
PAGE 6-7 BUSINESS NE W S EA Technologyistoconstructan Energy InnovationCentreatCapenhurstinCheshirewithsupport fundingof £1.5 millionfrom the N W D A. Itsaim istoturnbrightideasintosuccessfulproductsand servicesfor the energy industry. UniversityspinoutStructureVisionhas been awarded a £350,000 R&D grantby the N W D A todevelop a digitalmodellingtoolforuse inthe nuclearindustry. The company’stargetmarketforthe productoverthe nextten yearsisaround £100 million. Financialand professionalserviceshave experienced the biggestemploymentgrowth inthe Northwestoverthe pastdecade,ahead ofeducationand lifesciences,accordingtoa new study by ManchesterMetropolitanUniversity(MMU).The researchpredictsthatalmosta thirdofpeoplewillbe workinginrelatedprofessionsby 2020. Researchersatthe UniversityofManchesterwillsoon have access tomore financetocommercialise theirworld-beatingideasafterthe universityteamed up withthe UK’s leadingtechnologyinvestment manager,MIT,and leadinginstitutionstoestablisha new investmentfund ofup to£50 million. RegenerationspecialistSt.Modwen istostartwork thissummer on a new £25 millionphase ofinvestmentatDaresburyScience and InnovationCampus followinga developmentagreementwithDaresburySIC and owners the N W DA. The firstscheme isa 35,000 sq ft‘grow on’buildingcalledVanguard House. Zen Internet,an award-winningUK ISP,has embarked on an expansionprogramme atRochdalewith the helpofa £1.95 millionSFI grantfrom the N W D A. The investment,which has helped facilitatethe company’smove from threesitestoa new headquartersinSandbrook Park,willlead tothe creationof 250 jobsoverthe nextfiveyears.
GRO W T H PLAN FOR DIGITAL & CREATIVE
SECTOR Leadersofthe region’s£16 billionDigitaland CreativeIndustriesare intensifying theireffortstoestablishthe Northwestas one ofthe world’smost innovative productioncentresfordigitalentertainmentand new media. One aim ofa bold,newlylaunched actionplan forthe sectoristodraw intalent,skillsand investmentfrom overseas togrow regionaloutputby £1 billiona yearby 2015 withthe US, Japan and China among the main targets. Produced by the NorthwestRegionalDevelopmentAgency (NWDA) inconsultationwithindustry and publicsectorpartners,the new framework envisages a range ofpublicsectorinitiativestoexploit the potentialforgrowth,particularlythrough media and technologicalconvergence. A number ofMedia EnterpriseCentres(MECs) willbe establishedwhere productioncompanies, broadcasters,smalldigitalcompaniesand universitiescan creativelycollaborate.Phase one,located atMediaCityUK,SalfordQuays,and LiverpoolInnovationPark,are expectedtoopen laterthisyear. Othertargetsincludethe creationof1,000 apprenticeshipsby 2010,an investmentina NorthernNet high-speed communicationsnetwork,a NationalCentreofExcellenceinComputerGames and the creationofa ‘Beacon BusinessLinks’process topromote bestpractice. The Digitaland CreativeIndustriessectorisseen as pivotaltothe region’sknowledge economy. It generates16% ofthe Northwest’sGross Value Added (GVA),employs 10.6% ofitsworkforceand forms the second largestcreativeclusterinEurope. MediaCityUK,where the BBC willrelocatefivekey departmentsby 2011,isseen as the cornerstone ofthe new strategy. The world-classdevelopmentisa publicprivatesectorpartnershipledby developersPeelwho are investing£350 millioninthe firstphase ofthe projectwithan ambitiontoinvestup to£1.5 billionover 15 years.
GLOBAL FLAGSHIP The developmentpresentsthe regionwith“a once ina lifetimeopportunitytomake a transformationalchange,”says the N W DA’s IainBennett,SectorLeader,Digitaland Creative industries. He describesMediaCityUK as “theglobalflagshipofwhat we are tryingtoachieveinthe Northwest – nowhere elseinthe worldhave we gota majorprivatesectorcompany investingitsown money ina developmentofthiskind.Ifyou lookatthe investmentgoing intomedia citieslikeSeoulit’smore or lessGovernmentmoney.” Bennettstressesthatonlyby gettingbusinesses toinvestindevelopmentssuch as MediaCityUK can the regionhope tomeet the stifftargetscontainedinthe actionplan. “It’simperativethatwe getthatmessage outoverseas.Organicgrowth by UK companiesisvery importantand iscomplemented by overseas investmenttorealisethe sector’struegrowth potential.” One ofthe actionplan’saspirationsistoattractatleastone significantglobaltechnologybusiness alongsidethe BBC inPhase 1 ofMediaCityUK by 2010. The N W D A, UKTI and developersPeelare engaged ina twinglobalpush topromote the Salford Quays project.BennettrecentlytravelledtoShanghaiand BeijingtobriefpotentialChinese investors on the opportunitiesforcollaboration.The N W DA's ProjectDirector-MediaCityUK,Jason Legget, alsovisitedthe US recentlywithpartnerstomeet witha number ofmajorplayersinthe sectorto promote opportunitiesforrelocatingtoMediaCityUK.
HOTBED OF TALENT CreativeIndustriescoversa broad range ofactivitiesfrom advertisingand designtotelevisionand electronicpublishing.Taken togethersome 18 sub-sectorsemploy 320,000 peoplein31,000 businesses inthe Northwest. The regionhas developed a criticalmass incomputergames – GVA isover£300 milliona yearand isnow seeingacquisitiveinvestmentsby giantssuch as Sony (EvolutionStudios,Runcorn)and WarnerBros (TravellersTales,Knutsford). Itisalsoa hotbed oftalentand innovationintelevisionand filmproductionas demonstratedby the
recentsuccess ofITV’snew ground breakingsatiricalcomedy,‘Headcases’which was createdin associationwiththe Manchester-based animationcompany Red Vision. The show which attractedover4 millionviewerson itsfirstscreeninguses the latestcomputer generatedimage (CGI)wizardryand isthe firstforayintocharacteranimationby the BAFTA awardwinningcompany who are bestknown forcontentgraphicsfordocumentaries. “We would likeittobecome a long runningserieson the linesofSpittingImage,”explainsRed Vision’sChrisLunt.The company is now workingon a featurefilmand a drama forthe BBC. There isalsoa richveinoffilmmakinginthe region.The latestfeaturefilmstogo intoproductionare being funded underthe £750,000 cuttingedge DigitalDeparturesinitiativeas partofthe Liverpool08 CapitalofCultureprogramme. Over 150 teams submittedideas witha judgingpanelwhittlingdown the entriestojustsixfinalists. Three ofthese have sinceeach been awarded £250,000 tobringtheirdreams toreality. The winners,whose filmswillbe shown on the BBC laterthisyear,were:Of Time And the City,a documentarydirectedby Terence Daviesthatwas recentlyselectedfora specialscreeningatthe Cannes Film Festival;Salvage,a horrorfilmwhich willuse the setofBrooksideas itscentrallocation; and Starstruck,a drama writtenby LiverpoolwriterLeigh Campbell. The scheme was devisedby NorthwestVisionand Media who willexpand tobecome the cluster organisationforthe Digitaland CreativeIndustriesunderthe new actionplan. Itwillmove tothe MediaCityUK MEC laterthisyearsharingspace witha number ofspecialist brokersfrom BusinessLinkNorthwestand focusingon a number ofprojectsincludingan audiovisual trainingprogramme. For furtherinformation:www. nwda.co.uk
“ORGANIC GRO W T H BY UK CO MPANIES IS VERY IMPORTANT AND IS CO MPLE MENTED BY OVERSEAS INVESTMENT TO REALISE THE SECTOR’S TRUE GRO W T H POTENTIAL.” IAIN BENNETT SECTOR LEADER, DIGITAL AND CREATIVE INDUSTRIES NWDA
-Monkey business – Magenta Software,Liverpool,providessoftwareforcomputergames © Sony ComputerEntertainmentEurope.AllRightsReserved.
-Familiarlandmark – AnfieldStadium,Liverpool,was used as a setforthe footballfilmOffside -Celebritynewsreader – one ofthe animated charactersfrom the ITV satiricalcomedy ‘Headcases’
PAGE 8-9 BUSINESS
REGION JOINS RACE FOR LONDO N 2012
BUSINESS Companies acrossthe regionare limberingup tocompete fora share ofthe £6 billionofsupplychain contractwork that’sexpectedtobe awarded by organisersofthe London 2012 Olympicand ParalympicGames and itstop tiersuppliers. Over 800 Northwestfirmshave registeredinterestinthe procurementopportunitiesand atleast20 companiesbased inthe region have alreadywon contractstosupplygoods and servicestothe OlympicDeliveryAuthorityand other London 2012 contractors. The huge commercialrewardson offerwere outlinedatthe nationallaunch ofthe London 2012 BusinessNetworkheldatManchesterUnited’sOld Traffordstadium – one ofthe venues forthe OlympicFootballTournament– attended by OlympicsMinisterTessa Jowell. The London 2012 BusinessNetworkhas threecomponentparts:essentialinformationon upcoming opportunitiesand how tosupplyLondon 2012;businessevents;and a ‘CompeteFor’service– an onlinebusiness‘datingagency’thatwillmatch companieswiththe thousands ofopportunities supplyingLondon 2012 contractorsor sub-contractors.CompeteForisthe officialportalthrough which London 2012 willpublishGames relatedopportunities. CompeteForhas been developed on behalfofthe EnglishRegionalDevelopmentAgenciesand UK Devolved Administrationsby the London DevelopmentAgency,workingcloselywithLondon 2012 and the OlympicDeliveryAuthority(ODA). The NorthwestRegionalDevelopmentAgency’s(NWDA) aim istoinspireNorthwestbusinessesto compete forLondon 2012 relatedcontractstocreatestrongerand fittercompaniesequipped tosupply majoreventsand publicsectorprojects. A NorthwestBusinessNetworkhas been establishedtohelpcompaniesinthe regiontoaccess informationand supporton the businessopportunitiesbeing createdfrom London 2012.The Agency isproviding £2 millionoffundingtowardsCompeteFor and the operationofthe Northwest BusinessNetwork. WorkingwithBusinessLinkNorthwestand otherpartners,the Agency hopes toencourage up to 3,000 localcompaniestouse the CompeteForsystem,withatleast100 of them winningcontracts.Up toa fifthofsupplychainopportunitiesare expectedtogo through this route.
ECON O MIC STIMULANT N W D A ChiefExecutiveSteven Broomhead saidtherewere opportunitiesineverybusinesssector includingconstruction,professionalservices,tourism,hospitality,sport,food and creativesectors. “Our experienceofthe Com monwealthGames, which helped togrow and developso many Northwestcompanies,demonstratesthe powerfulimpactthe 2012 Games can make inthe region,”he said. Manchesterbased law firmBrabnersChaffeStreetisa good indicatorofwhat can be achieved on the businessfrontwhen itcomes towinningcontractsformajorevents. PartnerJason SmithrevealedthatBrabnershad advised on sponsorshipdealsworth £1.25 billioninthe pastseven years.Ithas given clientadviceon a number ofmajorworldsporting eventsincludingthe FIFA WorldCup, the UEFA European Championships,the IRB Rugby WorldCup and the 2008 FINA WorldSwimming ChampionshipsinManchester. “Itproves thatyou don’tneed toshop forspecialistlegalservicesinLondon when thereisworldclassexpertiseinthisregion”,saidpartnerJason Smith.
GOLDEN DECADE SebastianCoe, Chairman ofthe London OrganisingCom mitteeofthe OlympicGames and the ParalympicGames (LOCOG) who attended the ManchestereventwithTessa Jowelland John Armitt, Chairman ofthe OlympicDeliveryAuthority(ODA),talkedofa “Golden Decade”formajoreventsin the UK as a resultofLondon winningthe race tohostthe 2012 Games. He said:“Businessesthe lengthand breadthofthe countrywillwin contractsand we hope gaina huge amount ofexperienceof
what ittakes tostage and hostbigsportingevents.” The Games are expectedtogenerate75,000 businessopportunities.Contractsworthover£1 billion have so farbeen let,most tosmalland medium sized companieswitharound halfbased outside London. One ofthe earlywinnerswas Watson SteelinBolton,which has won a contracttosupplysteelfor the main Olympicstadium. Othersuccessfulcompaniesincludethe TAS PartnershipLtd,based inPreston,which won a contracttoundertakea procurementstudy forthe provisionofcoach and bus transportforthe Olympic familywithinthe Olympicsites.The studyexamines variousoptionsformaking 1,500 vehicles available,and looked atrelatedaspectsincludingmanning,servicingand subsequently, the schedulingofservicesbetween the variouslocations. A programme ofbusinesseventsand workshops coveringtopicssuch as CompeteFor,marketing and sustainabilityisbeing rolledoutacrossthe regiontohelpcompaniesbased inthe regiontobe prepared tocompete forwin contractsfrom London 2012. The firstofthese,the UK Trade & Investment‘Winningbeyond 2012’conference inManchesterwas aimed atpreparingcompaniesforopportunitiesstemming from globalsportingeventsthatwillbe staged between 2014-2020. The regionisalsogearingitselfforthe launch ofthe London 2012 CulturalOlympiad inOctober. DebbiLanderwho isbased atCultureNorthwesthas been appointedas the region’sCreative Programmer. For furtherinformation:www.london2012.com/business www.businesseventsfor2012.co.uk
TRAINING CAMPS GUIDE The Northwestwillhave an importantparttoplayinpreparingthe world’stop athletesforthe London 2012 Olympicand ParalympicGames after72 ofthe region’stop sportingvenues were selectedto appearinthe officialpre-Games TrainingCamp Guide. Those featuredincludefacilitiesused inthe Manchester2002 Com monwealthGames, such as ManchesterAquaticsCentre,the ManchesterVelodrome and the RegionalAthleticsArena at Sportcity. Majorfootballgrounds and traininggrounds,equestriancentres,martialartscentresand gymnasiums appearinthe directorytobe publishedatthe BeijingGames. Facilitiesincluded range from AintreeRacecourse (equestrian)and BoltonLads and GirlsClub (boxing)toPlattFields(BMX) and KendalJudo Club. CivicleadersinLeigh are hoping toexploittheirhistoriclinkswiththe Ukrainetogettheirnational team totrainatthe new £60 millionLeigh Sportsvillage. “There isan opportunitytobringteams tothe regiontotrainand thatcreatesa legacyinitself around the businesssupplychainand alsoinspiringyoung peopletotake partsinsports,”says Rob Young,NorthwestCoordinatorforthe 2012 Games. Sportingspectacular– an impressionofthe main London 2012 OlympicGames stadium Olympichopefuls – Leigh sportsvillageisincluded inthe 2012 pre-Games TrainingCamp Guide
PAGE 10-11 BUSINESS
RESOUR CE
EFFICIENCY DRIVE The Northwestiscontinuingtolead the battleagainstclimatechange witha multimillionpound boostforcompanieslookingto‘green’the way they do business. EN W O R KS EnvironmentalBusinessSupport(EBS) isa new £6 millionprogramme funded by the NorthwestRegionalDevelopmentAgency (NWDA) thatcouldsave the region’sbusinessesup to£50 milliona year. Specialistconsultantswillbe workingwithcompaniestohelpthem manage riskssuch as climate change more efficiently,butunlikemany similarnationalinitiatives,itwillbe specificallyaimed atsmall and medium sizebusinesses (SMEs). At the same time the region’sunique EnvironmentConnectservicehas become the ‘greenarm’of BusinessLinkNorthwest,ensuringa more efficient,joined-up serviceforbusinesses. Todd Holden,Programme DirectoratEN W O R KS, believesthatbusinesses are now more aware of the truecostofenergy than everbefore.Those companieswillingtotacklethe environmentalimpact oftheiroperationsare alsothose thatstand togainmost. “There used tobe a perceptionthatifyou wanted tosave energy you had tospend a lotofmoney,” says Holden.“But70% ofthe energy savingswe achieverequireno capitalinvestment.
WASTE REDUCTION “It’sthe willingnesstochange thatcreatesthe outcome.Partofour programme istogetbusinesses tounderstandthe valueofthisactivityso theybecome passionateaboutit.” Mark Atherton,the N W DA’s Head ofEnvironmentand SustainableDevelopment,agrees.“We believethatcompaniesthatare going tosucceed inthe futureare those which have good environmentalcredentialsand have taken actionstoreduce the costsoftheirenergy and waste.” The N W D A’s fundingisbased on a seriesof‘smarttargets’,which take intoaccountthe Agency’s previousinvestmentinresourceefficiencyand the resultsEN W O R KS have achieved.As a result, Holden believesthateach yearthe new servicecan save 200,000 tonnes ofC0 2,reduce raw material use by 800,000 tonnes and save 1.3 milliontonnes ofwater.Allthatwilllead tocostsavingsof£50 milliontoNorthwestbusinesses. “So forevery£1 the N W DA putsintoa programme likethis,we can put£10 on tothe bottom lineof a business,”he says.
BUSINESS LINK Accordingtoan N W DA survey,anothermajorbarriertogreeningbusinesseshas been confusion aboutwhere togo forinformation,with41% ofcompaniesreportingtheyneverasked for environmentalhelpbecause they didn’tknow who tocontact. EnvironmentConnectwas setup tohelpfirmsclearthishurdle,by actingas an environmental brokerage service.Aftera successfulfirstyearithas now become partofBusinessLinkNorthwest. Holden isconfidentthiswillallow a much strongerengagement between the region’sbusinesses and environmentalservicesuppliers. “Almostwithoutexception,companiesare quitedata-poor,”he continues.“They don’tknow how much they are spendingon gas,electricity,water,raw materials,waste disposal– so what we have to do iswork withthem, identifythe numbers and then helpanalysethem.” One ofthe reasons why businessesdon’ttake up thissortofadvice,says Atherton, isthatthey don’tknow who togo to.“Whatwe’ve done issimplifythe process.” For furtherinformation: www.enworks.com BusinessLinkNorthwest:tel0845 0066 888
Green energy – a wind turbineatLiverpool’sWavertreeTechnologyPark
PILOTLESS PLANE MARKET TAKING OFF BAE Systems iscurrentlycollaboratingwitha number ofpublicand leadingprivatesectorpartnersto overcome a number oftechnology,safety,and regulatoryhurdlesbeforethe Unmanned Autonomous Systems (UAS) are allowed toflyincommercialairspace. Seniorfiguresinthe industrypredictthattheremay be some limiteduse ofthe ‘eye-in-the sky’craft as earlyas 2012 by coastguardand policeforces.Applicationscouldincludesupportingsearch and rescue missionsinthe Lake Districtand monitoringlargeeventssuch as the Grand National. Engineers,scientists,and academics are workingcloselyon solutionsthatwilllead toagreeing approaches and standardsforcertificationas partofthe £32 millionthree-yearnationalASTRAEA researchand developmentprogramme, which isbeing supportedby the NorthwestRegional DevelopmentAgency (NWDA). The UAS marketrepresentsa huge businessopportunityforthe region,accordingtoLambert Dopping-Hepenstal,BAE Systems’Science & TechnologyDirectorand ProjectDirector. Studiessuggestitcouldbe over£5 billionby 2015 withmore than 20,000 unitsbeing produced, which ispotentiallytwicethe sizeofthe currentcivilaircraftmarket. “We believethese unmanned vehiclesshouldbecome quitea common sightinUK skiesby the middleofthe nextdecade and BAE Systems has everyintentionofbeing a bigplayerinthismarket. “The barrierstoentryare differentfrom manned aircraftand thereisno reason why a lotofsmall companiesinthisregioncannotgetintothe lowerend ofthe market.”
CIVILIAN USES The company has been usinga small,unmanned craft,known as HERTI (HighEndurance Rapid TechnologyInsertion), as a demonstratorforthe RAF forsome time and limitedproductionfocused on the militaryisnow underway atBAE Systems’Lancashirefactories. The gliderlikeplane,which isequipped withcameras,sensorsand advanced avionicsthatallow it tothinkforitself,was unveiledatFarnborough lastyear.Civilianuses couldincludeborderpatrol,oil and gas pipelineobservationand monitoringhazardous situations. Now initssecond year,the ASTRAEA programme isa partnershipbetween industry,government and academia covering16 parallelprojectsrangingfrom collisionavoidance tothe developmentof affordabledesignand manufacturingprocesses. “Ifunmanned systems are tooperateincivilairspace they willneed tohave the equivalentlevelof safetyofa pilotedaircraft,communicatewithAirTrafficControl and be abletomake intelligentdecisionson theirown. Thatissome challenge,”declaredLambert. The N W D A ischannelling£3.7 millionthrough BAE Systems tosupportfourofthe projects.One of the firstciviltrialscouldinvolvemonitoringshippinginthe EnglishChannel. Andrew Davis,N W DA Aviationand Aerospace DevelopmentManager,believesthe regionstands to benefitina number ofways once the technologyisfullyrefinedand the CivilAviationAuthorityis convinced unmanned autonomous vehiclescan be operatedsafelyincivilairspace. “We hope itwilllead tofuturemanufacturingjobsand opportunitiesforsmallcompanieswho have neverbeforebeen involvedwiththe aerospace industrytohelpdevelopa new sector”,he said. For furtherinformation: www.sbac.co.uk www.scitech.ac.uk
Intelligentpilotlessaircraftthatcan stayairborneforup to24 hoursand fulfil a range ofciviltasksfrom monitoringthe region’scoastlinetotrafficmanagement
couldbe rollingoffproductionlinesinNorthwestaerospace factorieswithinthe next few years. Manufacturingpowerhouse – limitedproductionofthe gliderlikeHERTI isunderway atthe Warton plant
PAGE 12-13 BUSINESS
FEEDING THE GREEN SHO OTS OF ENTERPRISE A package ofnew proposalstounlockthe Northwest’sfullenterprisepotentialtomake ita regionof peoplewho “can and do”has been unveiledby the NorthwestRegionalDevelopmentAgency (NWDA). Specialistmeasures are being developed toprovidesupportforstartups and high growth companies,nurturefemaleand socialentrepreneurs,embed enterpriseinschoolcurriculaand promote greaterinteractionbetween universitiesand business. They willcomplementa number ofnationalflagshipinitiativesincludingthe creationofa National EnterpriseAcademy (NEA) hub inthe region,a communityenterprisehaven atManchesterCityFC, the developmentofa universityenterprisenetworkand a pilotprojecttoestablisha women’s business centre. The Agency and itspartnershave undertaken a review ofenterpriseactivitieswithinthe regionand produced a wide-rangingstrategyand actionplan toassistindividualsand organisations realisetheirenterpriseaspirations. “We are nottalkingsolelyaboutpeoplestartinga business,”explainsMark Hughes,N W DA ExecutiveDirectorforEnterprise& Skills.“It’smore aboutgettingindividualstorespond tochange,to take risks,be innovativeand creative,and developnew ways ofdoing things.” Although survivalratesfornew businesses inthe regionnow match the nationalaverage,the Northwestfallsshorton othermeasures ofenterprise.The region’sstockofVAT-registered businesses per 10,000 adults,forexample,is18% below the England average. The strategy’saim istoachievea step change inperformance by 2026 based on a 20% improvementinrecentratesofincreaseinthe number ofstartups withsignificantcontributionsfrom women, peoplewithdisabilities,blackand ethnicminoritygroups,the over50s,singleparentsand exoffenders.
COHERENT FRAME W O R K Hughes isurgingthe regiontothinkmore aboutrealisingitsown competitivepotentialratherthan worryingaboutbridgingthe £14 billionproductivitygap withthe restofEngland which he regardsas falselyinflatedby the presence ofa globalcity(London)inthe equation. He describesthe strategy,which willbe launched inJune 2008,as “a coherentframework for decisive,collectiveactiondesigned tounlockthe potentialofthe region’smain assets– itspeople.”
The new plan iscomplementarytothe recentlypublishedGovernmentWhitePaper on Enterprise ‘Unlockingthe UK’s talent’and isbuiltaround the visionaryconceptofthe Northwestas a regionof ‘Peoplewho CAN and DO.’ Ithas threemain themes – enterprisingpeople,businessand places– and eleven actionprioritiesrangingfrom inspiringenterpriseinyoung peopletodeveloping long-term relationshipswithstrategicallyimportantbusinesses. The strategyisone ofa number ofinterlockingactionblueprintsbeing publishedoverthe nextfew months by the Agency initspursuitofaccelerated,sustainableeconomic growth. They includenew regionalframeworks forramping up innovationactivity,improvingmanufacturing performance,expandingand simplifyingthe provisionoffinanceforbusiness,boostingleadershipand managements skillsand growing the digitaland creativesector. Enterprisewas identifiedas a catalystforincreased prosperityinthe 2006 RegionalEconomic Strategyand overthe nextthreeyearsthe N W DA willcommitmajorresourcestodevelopingan enterprisecultureacross the Northwest.
ENTERPRISE CULTURE The N W D A’s CorporatePlan has allocated£180 milliontoenterprisesupport,£172 milliontokey businesssectors,another£89 million forinnovation,and £40 milliontorealise itsinternationaland leadershipand management objectives. A number ofprojectsare underway or inthe pipelinetofurtherthe aims ofthe new enterprise strategyincludingexpandingthe graduateentrepreneurshipprogramme toincludeup tosixNorthwest universitiesand a three-yearprojecttoprovidespecialistbusinesssupportforhigh growth,high value companies. The FurtherEducation(FE)Hub projectwillsupportup to13 FE collegeswho willwork withclusters ofsecondaryand primaryschoolstodeliverenterprisetrainingforteachersand tutorstohelpyoung peopleas they embark on their‘enterprisejourney’. Pilotprojectsare gettingunderway toencourage businesses inthreekey sectors– digitaland creative,finance and professionaland food and drinktocollaboratewithuniversities.Mark Hughes describesitas “empoweringthe buyernotthe seller.” The N W D A isalsoworkingcloselywiththe Governmenttobringa hub ofthe NationalEnterprise Academy, which issupportedby the entrepreneurPeterJones,tothe Northwest.Itwillhave a rolein encouraging16-19 yearoldstodevelopthe innovationskillsneeded totranslategood ideasinto reality. Governmentand the RDAs willalsojoinforceswithfootballadministratorsindevelopingan enterprisepromotionprogramme for13-14 yearoldsthatwillinvolveallPremierLeague clubs.Itis alreadybeing triedoutinBlackburnand willrolloutinitiallywithtwo more clubs,includingManchester CityFC. For furtherinformation:www.nwda.co.uk
“WE ARE NOT TALKING SOLELY ABOUT PEOPLE STARTING A BUSINESS. IT’SMO RE ABOUT GETTING INDIVIDUALS TO RESPOND TO CHANGE, TO TAKE RISKS, BE INNOVATIVE AND CREATIVE …” MARK HUGHES EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR ENTERPRISE AND SKILLS N W DA
Enterpriseinbroadcasting– Tameside Com munityRadio went on airin2007 withthe helpofpublicinvestment
STAR ROLE FOR W O M E N ENTREPRENEURS Wo men willhave an increasinglyimportantroletoplayinthe new enterpriseorder.They are one of the groups,along withblackand ethnicminoritycommunities,peoplewithdisabilities,singleparents and the over50s being targetedforspecialaction. Wo men are halfas likelytobe thinkingofstartinga businesscompared tomen (4.3% compared to 8.9%).Inthe Northwesttheyare significantlylesslikelytothinktheyhave the skillstostarta business than the UK average (38% compared to56%). “Wo men are much lessvisibleinthe enterpriselandscape inthisregionthan men and we intendto change that,”says N W DA ExecutiveDirector,Mark Hughes. One way istoinspirewomen tosee businessownershipas a careerchoiceby celebratingthe achievementsofthe region’soutstandingfemaleentrepreneursthrough a NorthwestWo men in BusinessAwards event,sponsored by the N W DA. The firstofthese annualpresentationstook place atHaydock Racecourse inMarch.The winners were; -Candice Fonseca,who runs Delifonseca,a traditionaldelicatessenand restaurantbased inLiverpool citycentre(BusinessStartUp ofthe Year) Anna Heyes ofActiveProfile,a Liverpoolbased marketingand PR consultancy(Young Entrepreneur ofthe Year) -Sharon O’Kane,co-founderand ChiefScientificOfficerofthe Manchesterpharmaceuticalcompany Renovo (Entrepreneurofthe Year). Starperformer – StartUp ofthe Year winnerCandiceFonseca
PAGE 14-15 SKILLS AND EDUCATION NE W S Andrew Heydeman has been appointedtothe new postofEmploymentand SkillsCo-ordinatorwith Cheshireand WarringtonEconomic Alliance.He was previouslySkillsand EmploymentManager with the N W D A. BoltonCom munityCollegeand BoltonSixthForm Collegehave secured ‘approvalinprinciple’status fortheirnew side-by-side‘Knowledge Hub’developmentsoppositethe UniversityofBoltoninthe £300 millionBoltonInnovationZone. The Learningand SkillsCouncilwillprovidethe majority ofthe funding. Leadersofthe region’sknowledge economy have welcomed news thatthe UniversityofManchester’s DaltonNuclearInstituteistoestablisha new £25 millionCentreforNuclearEnergy Technology (C-Net)todevelopprofessionalstowork inthe globalnuclearindustry.The firstphase ofthe five-year investmentwillstartthisyear. WarringtonCollegiatelaunched itselfintoa new era when the Duke ofKentvisitedthe campus to open a £27 millionnew buildingon WinwickRoad.Fundersincludethe Collegiate,the Learningand SkillsCounciland the N W D A. Work has startedon a state-of-the-artAutomotiveTrainingCentreatGreatSankey School,
Warrington,tohelpease skillshortagesinthe region’s£9 billionautomotivesector.Projectpartners includethe RAC and the N W D A, which has confirmed £250,000 offundingsupport. VauxhallMotorsistoreceivean £8.7milliontrainingaward from the N W D A foritsplantatEllesmere Portfollowinga decisionby the European Com missionthatthe proposaldoes notbreach stateaid rules. The award willhelptopositionplantstaffatthe forefrontofworld-classcapability.
UNIVERSITY BUILDS HEALTHY ECON O M Y Regionaluniversitiesare havinga tellinginfluenceon the prosperityand wellbeingoflocal communities,none more so than the UniversityofChesterwhose approach toteachingand research isrootedinthe principleof“doingwellby doing good”. Healthisa prime example.At any one time the university,one ofBritain’snewest,willhave 3,200 students– 22% ofthe totalcomplement-on coursesinnursing,midwifery,dieteticsand alliedhealth professions. The scaleofitsinfluenceinthe healthsectorcan be seen atthe Countess ofChesterHospital where survey findingshave revealedthatone intwo ofthe nursingstaffhad studiedforacademic qualificationsinthe FacultyofHealthand SocialCare. Apartfrom the main campuses in Chesterand Warrington,the universityhas smallsatelliteoperationsatmajor hospitalsinCheshireand issuccessfullyengaged inthe sortofappliedresearchthatcan benefit patients. Employerengagement,whetherwiththe NHS or citybased privatesectorcompanies, isa key motivatorforVice-ChancellorProfessorTim Wheelerand hisstaffintheirdrivetoequip studentsand professionalswith the cuttingedge skillsneeded ina 21stcenturyeconomy. “We are seekingtobringpeopleinto highereducationthathave notpreviously had the opportunitybutneed toacquirenew skillstofurthertheirprofessionaldevelopment,”explained ProfessorWheeler,who currentlychairsthe NorthWest UniversitiesAssociation(NWUA). Thiswork,oftendeliveredon-lineor atcompany locations,coversa verybroad spectrum of occupationsfrom civilservantsinthe CabinetOfficeand servicemen abouttoleave the RAF to keepersatChesterZoo. Chesterhas boughtintothe key objectivesofthe RegionalEconomic Strategyinrelationto upskillingthe region’sworkforceand technologytransfer. Itisinvestinginprojectstofurtherthese ends includinga newlyopened £3 millionBusinessCentre on the Warringtoncampus (theTuckerBuilding)which receivedsupportfundingof£2.4 millionfrom the NorthwestRegionalDevelopmentAgency (NWDA). ProfessorWheelerlikestostressthe universityis“doingwellby doing good”approach toHigher Educationas evidenced by the twin-campus BusinessSchool’scommitmenttocoursesthatare geared tothe needs ofthe Cheshiresub-region. There are bespoke programmes infinancialservices,forexample,tosupportthe activitiesoflocal
employersMBNA, Marks & Spencerand Bank ofScotland,and intourism,anotherofthe city’s importanteconomic generators.
NE W FACILITIES The Vice-Chancellortalksaboutkeepinga triangleofinterests– students,employersand the university– “inharmony”.Many students,he says,simplywant the excitementofknowledge and learningbutmany are alsoaskinghow theycan improve theircareerprospects. “Our primaryloyaltyistostudentsbutthatisinno sense incompatiblewithprovidinggraduatesand post-graduateswho can make a differencewhen theygo towork whether itbe inmanufacturing,serviceor the not-for-profitsector.” Founded underthe aegisofthe Church ofEngland in1839 as Britain’sfirstteachertrainingcollege by sixwealthylocalindividuals,includingGladstone and the 14th Earlof Derby,the universityreceiveditselevatedstatusin2005. ProfessorWheelerdescribesChester’srichheritageas “a greatrecruitingsergeant.”Applications outnumber placesby sixor seven toone. Lastyearthe institutioncelebratedan importantmilestonewhen itwas given powers toaward its own researchdegrees.Areas ofappliedactivityincludebusinessmanagement,biotechnology, computingand softwareengineering. The university’sgrowth aspirationsand pursuitofacademic excellenceisreflectedina £25 million investmentprogramme thathas deliveredimpressivenew facilitiesinChesterand Warringtonoverthe pastfiveyears. Chesterhas acquireda teachingand learningblock(theBinks Building),a new £5 millionhome for The FacultyofHealthand SocialCare (theWestminsterBuilding)and a dedicatedfacilityatthe former Kingsway SchoolinNewton forthe FacultyofArtsand Media. The Warringtoncampus,which was acquiredfrom WarringtonCollegiateInstitutein2002,has gained a new learningresourcescentre,the £2.35 millionBroomhead Library(named afterSteven Broomhead, ChiefExecutiveofthe N W DA, a formerCollegiatePrincipal),as wellas the businessand IT building. Enterpriseisan importantelementinthe Chesterundergraduateexperienceand the university works with1,500 localbusinessestoensure thatallsecond yearstudentsundertakea shortindustrybased placement. Studentsreceivecommonsense advicethatgettinga degree,as ProfessorWheelerpointsout,“is onlyan entrance tickettothe race.” The universitytriestoconvincestudentsthatthey need todemonstratequalitiesand attitudesto employersthatmake them stand outfrom otherjobapplicants.Chester’sgraduatesappeartobe gettingthe message -only5% remainunemployed aftersixmonths,which isbetterthan the national average. For furtherinformation:www.chester.ac.uk
“WE ARE SEEKING TO BRING PEOPLE INTO HIGHER EDUCATION W H O HAVE PREVIOUSLY NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY BUT NEED TO ACQUIRE NE W SKILLS TO FURTHER THEIR PROFESSIONAL DEVELOP ME NT.” PROFESSOR TIM W HEELER
VICE-CHANCELLOR UNIVERSITY OF CHESTER -Investinginknowledge – the newlyopened BusinessCentreon the Warringtoncampus Rich history– Senate House and Chapelon the Chestercampus Risk assessment– PhD studentDeborah Anne Roe isengaged intsunamiresearch
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NE W S Com munitiesSecretaryHazelBlearshas announced accelerateddevelopmentplans forSportcity, EastManchester,includinga £10 millioninvestmentby EnglishPartnershipstounlocka key sitefor leisure,commercialand sportingactivity. Civic,educationand healthleadershave joinedforceswitheconomic developmentspecialiststo launch the ManchesterCitySouth Partnership,a new developmentagency whose aim willbe todrive forwardthe knowledge economy creating34,000 jobs. EnglishPartnershipshas approved an £8.5millionfundingpackage thatwillkickstartwork on the £600 millionExchange Greengatedevelopment.The scheme, which willcreatea new urban quarter linkingSalfordand Manchester,isexpectedtogenerate4,000 jobs. Wigan couldbecome home toa largenumber ofChinese companies underplans tocreatea £125 millionclothingand textilemanufacturingcentreinthe town.The project isexpected togenerate1,000 jobsand a further3,000 inspinoffindustries. PendleVision,an employer-ledlocalstrategicpartnershipchairedby industrialistDennisMendoros,a formerchairman ofthe NorthwestAerospace Alliance,has been launched withfundingsupportfrom the N W D A topromote the economic wellbeing ofPendleand surroundingarea. Manchesteristogeta pioneeringnew BiomedicalResearch Centrethatwillcreateup to150 jobs. The £35 millionproject,which has attracted£4.9 millionofN W D A funding,willbe run by a hospital and universitypartnershipsupportedby the citycounciland leadinghealthcareorganisations.
BLACKBURN POISED FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE Blackburnisa town ofboldambitions.Itsees itselfas an economic engine ofPennine Lancashireand has grand designson becoming a qualityretailhub,a centreofhighereducationexcellenceand a modelofcommunityharmony. These are no idledreams.Schemes alreadycompletedor inthe regenerationpipelineare providing civicleadersand theirpublicand privatesectorpartnerswiththe assetsand resourcestobringthese ideas tofruition. Buoyed by the success ofbusinessand industryparksinthe M65 corridorwhich have attracted many new companiestothe area,BlackburnwithDarwen Borough Councilisputtingrenewed energy intoa design-ledrenewalofitstown centres. Key pieces inthe estimated£1 billioninvestmentjigsaw includethe impressiveBlackburnCathedral Quarterdevelopment,an extensionofthe main shoppingmall,a new linkroad tocompletethe town’s OrbitalRoute,and high qualitypublicrealm projects. Educationisanotherimportantcatalystinthe drivetocreatea strongknowledge economy and broaden the area’sskillsbase.BlackburnCollegeisinvestingover£21 millionindevelopinga worldclasscampus thatcouldone day form partofa new universityinPennine Lancashire. Decades ofmanufacturingdeclinehave leftPennine Lancashirewitha legacyof low employmentrates,low wages and low house prices.
INVESTOR CONFIDENCE “The long term challengeistoregainour economic prosperityand we are making greatstridesin thatdirection,”claims Adam Scott,BlackburnwithDarwen’sStrategicDirectorofRegenerationand Environment. “We are wellplaced tolead the resurgence ofPennine Lancashire.Our linkswithGreater Manchesterare verygood and we have had a massiveamount ofemploymentland developed along the M65 corridoroverthe past15 years,butwe need toidentifymore.” The latestprojecttocome offthe drawing board isthe Whitebirkindustrialsitebetween Blackburn and Rishtonserviceson the M65. SituatedinHyndburn,it’sone ofthe region’sdesignatedstrategic sites. The counciliscurrentlyengaged inmodernisingitstown centrestoprovidea higherqualityoffering thatcan more effectivelycomplementthatofneighbouringPrestonand Manchester.Blackburnhas over20 projectsinthe planningstage or atvariousstages ofdelivery. One ofthe catalystsforarea’sbiggesttransformationin40 yearsisthe BlackburnTown Centre Renaissance Programme, which isreceivingover£13 millionoffundingsupportoversixyears– it startedin2005 -from the NorthwestRegionalDevelopmentAgency (NWDA) fora range ofactivities from siteacquisitionstoconservationwork. More recentlythe Agency has approved additionalfundingof£3.7 milliontoopen up an area around FreckletonStreeton the Southwestside ofthe town centreforoffices,retailand residential developments. An attractivenew £9 millionfour-lane bridge,which was moved intoplace overthe railwayin February,willremove a trafficbottleneckand allow completionofthe missinglinkinthe town’sOrbital Route. Afterdecades oftown centreunder-investmentthe privatesectorisshowing renewed confidence and commitmentinBlackburn’sfuture. Among the developmentson siteor inthe pipelineare: BlackburnCathedralQuarter– a £90 millionscheme by Maple Grove backed by EnglishPartnerships and the BlackburnDiocese. The Mall– a £66 millionthree-storeyexpansionofthe MallShopping Centreon Lord Square to providespace foranother20 shops and a new continentalstylemarket. BlackburnMarket– demolitionofthe dilapidated1960s marketwillcreatea largenew town centre developmentsiteforretail,officesand leisureforwhich the councilwillbe seekinga privatesector partner. “The presenttown centrewas a step change developmentwhen itwas laiddown inthe 1960s and we are making a step-change ofequivalentscaleinthe firstdecades ofthe 21stcentury,“explained Scott. “There’sno shortageofprivatesectorinterestinthe town.“Schemes underway are generatinga realmomentum and we are fieldinginquirieson a dailybasis.” Blackburn’slargeAsian heritagecommunityisalsoplayingitspartinimprovingthe town centre’s retailand visitorappealby turningthe heartofthe WhalleyRange area intoa vibrantquarterof specialistshops. The councilconsidersgood communityrelationshipsa criticalfactorinbuildinga thrivingeconomy. For furtherinformation: www.blackburn.gov.uk
TO W N CENTRE SCHE MES HELP LIFT M O RALE New town centredevelopmentsare reinvigoratingDarwen helpingittopolishitsimage as a traditional markettown forPennine Lancashirewitha strongcommunityidentity. A £12 millionsportand leisurecomplex,new £5 millionhealthcentreand a HeritageLottery initiativetorestoresome ofthe town’sVictorianarchitectureare helpingtoliftthe gloom caused by the lossofjobsinthe wallcoveringsindustry. Post-16 educationalopportunityinthe town willbe dramaticallytransformed when the state-of-the-
artDarwen AldridgeCom munityAcademy isopened inSeptember.The sponsorofthe £34 million projectisentrepreneurRod Aldridge. With easy access tospectacularlandscapes and formermillsitesbeing developed foraffordable housing, Darwen isbecoming an attractivecommutertown foryoung professionals. Beacon ofprogress– the Braidlightsup the town centreatnight Trafficfreezone – Church Streetisthe modern face ofBlackburntown centre State-of-the-arteducation– the new Darwen Academy
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AGENCY UNVEILS ERDF PRO G RA M M E Businesses,workingwithpublicpartners,are being urged toplaya much greaterroleinusingthe new £521 millionNorthwestEuropean Regional DevelopmentFund (NWERDF) programme toimprove the region’scompetitiveedge. Stakeholderpartnersand potentialbeneficiarieswere given a detailedbriefingon the aims ofthe seven-yearprogramme and the fundingapplicationprocess duringitsofficiallaunch inthe concert room ofSt.George’sHall,Liverpool,which has been refurbishedwithEuropean money. The fund willbe managed forthe firsttime by the NorthwestRegionalDevelopmentAgency (NWDA) withthe supportofGovernmentOfficeforthe NorthWest (GON W). Appealingforgreaterpublicand privatesectorengagement,Steven Broomhead,the N W D A’s Chief Executive,promised thattherewould be “a sense ofurgency”inthe way the Agency dealtwithfunding applications.These would go through a singleappraisalprocess making the taskquickerand simpler.
MAJOR PUSH “We have 18 months tospend the firsttranche butitmust be spentwiselyand prudently.There’sa commitmentaround climatechange,equalityand diversityand therewillbe a majorpush toembed those ideas and principlesinmainstream programmes,”he said. The launch eventmarked the startofa process that,withmatch funding,shouldsee over£1 billion investedinthe regiontoaccelerateeconomic growth. Investmentframeworkshave been developed forthe programme’s eleven actionsareas and have been approved by the Programme MonitoringCom mittee(PMC). They are alsocloselyalignedwiththe objectivesofthe RegionalEconomic Strategy(RES).Targets include26,700 netadditionaljobs,an annual £1.17 billionimprovementinthe region’sGross Value Added (GVA) and a 25% reductioninadditionalCO 2 emissionsgeneratedby programme investments. The programme isgeared toraisingthe region’scompetitivenessand willfocuson projectsthat stimulateenterpriseand innovationinlinewiththe EU’s ‘jobsand growth’agenda. Some ofthe new European money willbe used toestablisha multimillionpound venturecapital fund.Itwillhave fourelements,seed capital,a largerloan and growth capitalfund and a smallloan fund.Tendersare currentlybeing invitedtomanage the fund.
SPECIALIST TEAM Merseyside,which has a transitional‘phasingin’status,has been given a ring-fenced allocationof £212 millionwiththe other£308 millionbeing made availabletosupportprojectsacrossthe region. The fundingwillbe managed withinthe N W DA by a specialistteam ledby DirectorofEuropean Programme DavidMalpass.At the launch he invitedpartnerstocome forwardwithgood quality projectideas. “We need tobe more ambitiousinwhat we do.The pressureofglobalisationmeans we are livingin a much toughercompetitiveenvironmentand we need tobe cuttingedge inallthose areas of businesswhere the regionspecialises.It’sthe onlyway tocreatesustainableemployment.” More informationon the programme can be gained through the programme executives,N W D A directoratesor sub-regionalpartnerships.A dedicated websitehas alsobeen launched tohelppotentialapplicants. For furtherinformation:www.erdfnw.co.uk
Classicalsetting– the new programme was launched atSt.George’sHall,Liverpool
DRIVE TO IMPROVE W O R K PLACE HEALTH Healthand wellbeingprogrammes forthe region’sworkforceare a key aim ofa new partnership between the NHS and the NorthwestRegionalDevelopmentAgency (NWDA). Research shows thatsicknessabsence coststhe region’sbusinesses£500 a yearperemployee, butthatworkplacehealthinitiativescan delivera sixtoone returnon investmentthrough lower absence ratesand improved productivity. A workplacehealthstrategyhas alreadybeen developed by the DepartmentofHealthand the N W D A, tobe managed by a partnership,which alsoincludesthe Healthand SafetyExecutive,the NorthWest TUC and a regionalWorkplaceHealthPractitioners’Group. “There isa lotofevidence which shows thata healthyworkforceisa more productiveone,”says Malcolm Kennedy,Equalityand DiversityPolicyManager atthe N W D A. “Ifpeopleare encouraged and helped toremainhealthy,itobviouslyreduces sicknessratesand the number ofpeoplerequiring incapacitybenefit,who may notreturntowork.” Workplace healthisjustone example ofthe linksbetween the N W D A and the widerNHS Northwest (NHS N W), which have recentlybeen strengthened by the formationofa new PartnershipBoard.
BIGGEST BUSINESS Itaims toensure thatcollaborativeworkingcan helptoreduce economic and healthinequalities, increase wellbeingand reduce socialexclusioninthe region. The new workingrelationshiphas been made easierby the mergerofthreeformerStrategicHealth Authorities(SHA) inthe regionintoone.The NHS N W isnow the largestSHA inEngland after London,servinga populationofseven millionand employing220,000 people. Sue Henry,AssociateDirectorforEngagement and PartnershipsatNHS N W, where she has been seconded fortwo yearsuntilApril2009 from the N W DA, says:“The NHS isthe biggestbusinessinthe region– an £11.5billionenterprise– and the new structurehas given us a freshopportunitytowork togetheron a regionalagenda,buildingon a programme ofwork which has been going on forthe last fiveyears.” She says jointworkingwiththe N W DA can helpinmany areas includingclimatechange, sustainability,healthinequalitiesas wellas workplacehealth. Majorcapitalinvestmentprojects– includingplansfora new £400-500 millionRoyalLiverpool UniversityHospitalat a key gateway intothe city-willalsobenefitfrom co-operationbetween the NHS and the Agency.
One successfulproject,which has been supportedby the N W D A, included the establishmentofa 'good corporatecitizenship'programme by StockportNHS FoundationTrust,which was judged runner-up inthe Good Corporate Citizenshipcategoryata recentnationalawards ceremony. EricHodgson,PolicyOfficeratthe N W D A, says the Agency gave £80,000 offundingforthe two-yearappointmentofa projectdirector. “The aim istoassistthe Trustinmeetingsome ofthe SustainableDevelopmentCom mission’s targetstohelplong-term unemployed back intowork,toemploy localpeoplewhere possibleand to buy more locallytostimulatethe economy,”he said. Among itssuccesses,the Trust has setuplinkswiththe localMossleybranch ofthe nationalcharityEm maus, which supports homeless people,who now collectitsunwanted ‘whitegoods’,includingfridges. They then trainhomeless peopletorefurbishthem beforethey are soldtolow-income familiesata reasonableprice.There are plans toexpand the scheme toincludeunwanted officefurniture. For furtherinformation:www.nwda.co.uk; www.northwest.nhs.uk
“THERE IS A LOT OF EVIDENCE TO SHO W THAT A HEALTHY W O R KF O R C E IS A MO RE PRODU CTIVE W O R KF O R C E.” MALCOLM KENNEDY EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY POLICY MANAGER NWDA
-Keeping fit– workplacehealthinitiativescan delivera six-to-one returnon investment
PAGE 20-21 PEOPLE AND JOBS
M O RE RESOUR CES TO GRO W RURAL ECON O M Y Businesses inCumbriasupportedby a six-yearruralinitiativehave
shown a riseinturnoverofbetween 500-600%, accordingtoa recent evaluation. The ruralbusinesses,mainlyinthe food and drinksectors,butalsoincludingthose producingwool and wood, were assisted by a LEADER+ programme, partofa widerruralinitiative. Now more resourcestohelpstimulateeconomic growth inthe countryare becoming availableinthe regionfollowingthe launch ofthe new £3.9 billionnationalRuralDevelopmentProgramme for England (RDPE). Jointlyfunded by the EU and the UK Government,the programme willrun from 2007-2013.Most of the budgetwillbe allocatedtoNaturalEngland tohelpfarmersmanage the land more sustainably. Around £600 millionofthe budgetwill be deliveredby England’sRegionalDevelopmentAgencies,withthe N W D A delivering£73 millionof this. Actionwillbe focused on making farmingand forestrymore competitiveand sustainable,enhancing the environmentand countryside,improvingopportunitiesinruralareas and buildingcapacityinthe deliveryofskillsand knowledge transfer. At least25% ofthe N W DA’s totalprogramme willbe deliveredthrough the LEADER approach.The Agency invitedlocalgroups tosubmitdetailedactionplans on the deliveryofimprovementsintheirown areas and has now reached agreementwiththe firstthree.
SOCIAL WELLBEING They are CumbriaFellsand Dales,Solway Borderand Eden and The NorthernMarches – England DevelopmentPartnershipinCheshire.Projectbidsfrom othergroups are underconsideration. Funding isavailablefora wide range ofactivitiesincludingvocationaltrainingand skills development,farmingand forestrydiversification,environmentalstewardship,food processingand marketingas wellas businessstartups and tourism initiatives. David Hunter,Head ofRuralAffairsforthe N W DA, says:“The LEADER approach isalready recognisedacrossEurope as a good way ofdeliveringsuch programmes. “But thiswillnotjustbe a continuation ofearlierschemes,which were often smallscaleinterventions,butbalanced programmes aimed atimprovingcompetitivenessinagriculture and the economic and socialwellbeingof ruralcommunities”. “Many ofthe existingbusinessesneed supporttogrow and become more productive.We alsowant toembed and grow knowledge-drivenbusinesses effectivelyinthe ruralareas and improve theiraccess tomarkets.” The threemain areas ofimportanceare toensureon-going sustainablegrowth inthe rural economy, todiversifythe economic base and createa skilledworkforcewithincommunitiestohelpto sustainthatbase. GeoffBrown,CumbriaFellsand Dales Programme Co-ordinatorofthe LEADER+ Programme which ran from 2002 to2008,says:“We are keen tobuildon the work we have alreadydone which we believehas made a difference,particularlyinCumbria’slocalproduce sector.”
FARMING APPRENTICES Inthe lastsixyears,the group has supporteda mix ofstrategicand smallscaleinterventions, includingwork withfarmergroups toenhance theirmarketingapproach. Among the resultswas a contractfora group ofbetween ten and 20 Herdwicklamb producersto supplyBooths supermarketsinthe Northwest.The farmershave worked toextend the lambing season toenabletheirproduce tobe soldovera longerperiod. Now the HerdwickSheep Breeders’Associationisworkingtowardsgaininga European Quality Standardlabelforthe protectionofgeographicalorigin– so thatonlyHerwicksbred on the Lakeland fellscan be so called. Almost200 smallprojectswithproducersofgoods from localsoups toicecream, wildflower collectionstomeat cuttingrooms were alsosupported. The projectlooked attrainingand enabledsixfellfarmingapprenticestocomplete18-months of
trainingbeforebeing helped intoselfe mployment. Hillfarmersjoineda trans-nationalprojectwithan area ofthe MassifCentralinFrance,with particularstrengthsinlocalproduce marketing. Growing Well,anotherlocalproduce initiativerun as a socialenterprise,providedtrainingforpeople withlearningand mentalhealthdisabilities. For furtherinformation:www.nwda.co.uk
MTI EVALUATION The MarketTowns Initiative(MTI)inthe Northwest“has reached deep intothe communityineach town”,accordingtoan evaluationpublishedthisyear(08)beforethe currentProgramme ended in March. “There has been a range ofsuccesses through the MTI Programme thathas supportedand helped todevelopand regenerateeach ofthe markettowns involved,”says the report. The MTI,a nationaljointventurebetween the CountrysideAgency and the RegionalDevelopments Agencies,involved17 markettowns inthe Northwest-nine inCumbria,fiveinLancashireand threein Cheshire.Itsaim was to“rejuvenate(thetowns)through a thrivinglocaleconomy.” The MTI has played a key partinthe N W D A’s £100 millionruralregenerationprogramme. Each town had the opportunitytoutilisearound £1 millionfrom the Agency and therehave been areas of notableachievementinjobcreationand employmentmeasured againstthe settargets. The evaluationhighlightedthe diversityofthe towns and the variationnecessarytosustainactivity. The reportsuggeststhe towns must push forinclusioninSustainableCom munityStrategiesand local authorityLocalArea Agreements. For furtherinformation:www.nwda.co.uk
“WE WANT TO EMBED AND GRO W KNO WLED GE-DRIVEN BUSINESSES EFFECTIVELY IN THE RURAL ECON O M Y AND IMPROVE THEIR ACCESS TO MARKETS.” DAVID HUNTER HEAD OF RURAL AFFAIRS NWDA
Green fingers– pottingtomatoes inthe Growing Wellproject Frodsham – partofthe MTI Programme
PAGE 22-23 INFRASTRUCTURE NE W S SalfordCentralrailstationhas undergone a £5 millionfacelifttomake itmore customer-friendly. Funded by GMPTA and ManchesterEnterprises,the scheme has delivereda strikingnew entrance hall,new ticketoffice,informationscreens and upgraded taxiand bus facilities. Gateway connectionsfrom the M55 intoBlackpoolare tobe furtherimproved followingan award of £2.6 millionby the N W D A toReBlackpooland BlackpoolCounciltokickstartthe second phase ofthe CentralCorridorscheme. The improvementswillincludeimproved carparkingand a pedestrian piazza. Chesterisinvestinginnew publicrealm works thatwillmake iteasierforpeopletomove around the city.Supportedby nearly£1 millionofN W DA funding,the improvementswillincluderejoiningthe Roman WallsoverCastleDriveand upgradingofthe riversidepromenade.
Planningapprovalhas been given forthe £105 millionHeysham M6 linkroad followinga lengthy publicinquiry.The 4.8 km long dualcarriageway road willrun from the A589 Morecambe Road near Torrisholme toa remodelledjunction35 on the M6 atHalton. Work isexpectedtostartin2010 and be completedby late2012. WinkleySquare,Preston,istogeta new 64-jetwaterfountaincompletewithgranitewalkways and fibreopticlightsas partofa partnershipprojecttobreathenew lifeintothe Victoriansquare.The N W D A funded a designcompetitionforthe centrepieceattraction,which was won by Bristolb -ased Cooper Partnership. Bickershaw CollieryinLeigh has been named as one oftwo sitesinthe NorthofEngland topioneer zero carbon homes as partofthe government’sresponse toclimatechange.Owned by the N W D A, the formercollierysitewillsee 650 homes builttothe most exactingenvironmentalstandards.
RAIL SCHE MES HELP ECON O M Y TO GRO W Fasterjourneytimes toLondon,fewerdelays,increased capacitybetween the North’sCityRegions, new routes,modernisedstations,simpleand efficientticketingand betterconnectionstothe region’s portsand airports. That’sthe enticingprospectinview forrailand tram usersoverthe nextfew yearsas government, railoperators,and supportagenciesgearup fora 21stcenturyupgrade ofthe Northwest’stransport networks. Some ofthe schemes thatwillbringaboutthiscommunicationsrevolution,such as the £8.6 billion modernisationofthe West CoastMain Line (WCML) and the majorexpansionofMetrolink,are virtuallycomplete,atthe constructionstartinggate or inthe pipeline. A new road-over-railbridgewas recentlyjacked intoplace overOutwood Lane,Wythenshawe, pavingthe way forconstructionofa 3rd railplatform atManchesterAirporttobe completedby the end ofthe year. The Airportstationcurrentlyhandles300 trainsa day and the new platform willrelieveoperational pressures,which can ripplethrough the networkcausingdelaysand cancellations.The servicestothe airportare operatedby FirstTrans Pennine Express and NorthernRail.
EXTRA TRAINS The £15 million3rd platform project,jointlyfunded by NetworkRail,the GreaterManchester PassengerTransportExecutive(GMPTE) and the NorthernWay willincreasepunctualityand reliability,and providescope forextratrains. Engineeringwork on the W C ML isinitsfinalstages,although weekend delayswillstill be experienced untilthe end of2008,and couldallow VirginTrainstointroduceitsveryhigh frequency timetableinDecember. Thiswillsee threetrainsan hour,insteadoftwo,runningbetween Manchesterand London and additionalpeak hourserviceson the LiverpoolLondon route.
The new timetablewillclip15-20 minutes offjourneytimes between Manchesterand London (down to2 hours)and 25 minutesoffthe LiverpoolLondon service(down to2 hours5 minutes). Chesterwillalsobenefitfrom the expanded capacitywiththe London servicebeing boosted to13 trainsa day toLondon (one an hour),fiveofwhich willcarryon toHolyhead. Businessgroups and economic plannersbelievethe latestpackage ofimprovementsscheduledby trainoperatorsand NetworkRailalong withfarreachingproposalsannounced by ministerswillhave a significantboostereffecton the region’scompetitiveness. Buildingan effectivetransportinfrastructureisidentifiedas a clearpriorityinthe 2006 Regional Economic Strategy. PeterWhite,ExecutiveDirectorofDevelopmentatthe NorthwestRegionalDevelopmentAgency (NWDA) says fastand reliablerailservicesforpassengerand freightare “an essentialcomponentsof the modern transportsystem,which isvitaltothe continuingprosperityofthe Northwest”. Much attentionwillbe focused on the outcome ofa detailedfeasibilitystudybeing carriedoutwith the NorthernWay by NetworkRailon behalfofthe DepartmentforTransport. Itwillconsiderthe bestlong-term investmentoptionstoovercome capacityconstraintson the ‘ManchesterHub’-the railnetworkinand around centralManchester. The Hub actsas a strategiccrossroadsforthe entireNorthwestrailnetworkand has been described as the most damaging railbottleneckinthe Northaffectingboth passengerand freightservices.
IMPORTANT GUIDE The NorthernWay, a jointinitiativeby the threeNorthofEngland RDAs toboostNorthern productivity,regardsresolutionofthe problem as a top transportpriority. Increasingthe Hub’scapacitywould enablemore and fastertrainstooperateacrossthe north, particularlyon key servicesfrom Liverpooland Manchesteracrossthe PenninestoSheffield,Leeds and the NorthEast. Itwould alsopotentiallyallow more directservicestoManchesterAirportand more freightservices linkingportswiththeirkey marketsacrossthe NorthofEngland.The study willlookintohow and when the new capacitywould be provided,the infrastructurerequiredand the totalcost. David Begg,Chairofthe NorthernWay’s TransportCompact,says thatManchester“standsoutas the most importantcapacityconstraintacrossthe North’srailnetwork. A second study,commissioned by the N W DA, willlookatthe widereconomic benefitsofprojected NetworkRailschemes thatcouldbe undertaken until2017. Itwillprovidean importantguide on the bestschemes interms ofproductivitywitha view to includingthem infutureinvestmentprogrammes and strategies. Futuredevelopmentofthe nationalrailnetwork,as outlinedinthe DfT WhitePaper ‘Deliveringa SustainableRailway’,shouldsee the Northwestbenefitingfrom the proposed £9 billioninvestmentinefficiencyprojectsoverthe nextseven years. There isa commitmenttoreduce journeytimes between Liverpooland Manchesterto 40 minutes,between Manchesterand Leeds to43 minutesand toselectivetrainlengtheningfor servicesinNorthernCityRegions. Boltonand Chesterstationsare likelytobe among the listof150 stationsnationwidethatwillbe refurbishedtobecome more accessibleand attractivetopassengers. The Governmentisalsocommittedtoprovidingan additional£200 milliontoenablework tostarton a strategicfreightnetworktoprovidean attractivechoiceforshippers. For furtherinformation:www.nwda.co.uk
“MANCHESTER STANDS OUT AS THE MOST IMPORTANT CAPACITY CONSTRAIN ACROSS THE NORTH’S RAIL NET W O R K.” DAVID BEGG
CHAIR NORTHERN WAY TRANSPORT CO MPACT Flagshipmodernisation– investmenthas transformed ManchesterPicadillyStation
PAGE 24-25 QUALITY OF LIFE NE W S Liverpool'sCapitalofCultureyearcontinuestobreak allrecords,withnearly3 millionpeoplevisiting the city'sculturalattractionsinthe firstfourmonths of2008.The lateststatisticsshow thatmore than 2.75 millionpeopleattended a culturaleventor venue acrossthe city– 25% up on 2007 – withsome recordingmore than 50% growth. Lancaster’sDuke’sTheatreisaiming tosecureitsfutureby embarkingon a developmentprogramme thatwillprovidea new performance space.The project,which istoreceive£237,000 from N W D A and £99,000 from the ArtsCouncil,willprovideas platform forallartforms. Funding of£4.6 millionisbeing investedinChetham’sSchoolofMusic,Manchester,by the N W DA to enableittodevelopas a world-classvisitorattractionlinkedtoManchesterCathedral,creatinga new medievalquarterforthe city. New contentand infrastructureimprovementsare tobe introduced intothe RHS FlowerShow at TattonPark followingan N W DA commitmenttoinvest£750,000 inthe horticulturaleventoverthe next threeyears.The show celebratesits10th anniversarythisyear. LiverpoolPlayhouse and Everyman are toreceiveN W DA investmenttotalling£1.7 milliontohelpthe two venues take forwardambitiousdevelopmentplans.New facilitieswillbe added toserve both theatrescreatingmore employment,culturaland trainingopportunities. Coach tourism inthe Northwestisa £336 millionindustry,accordingtoa reportcommissioned by the N W D A. Itspublicationcoincidedwithnews thatBury has joinedChester,Southportand the Eden Valleyinbeing named a ‘Coach Friendly’destinationatthe BritishTravelFair.
VISITOR SUCCESS FOR CULTURAL SHO W C A SE One certaininheritanceofLiverpool’syearas European CapitalofCulture willbe The Bluecoatcentreforcontemporaryart,whose ‘people’sreopening’aftera £12.5millionrefitattractedover10,000 people. ChiefExecutiveAlastairUpton says:“Thisrefurbishedcentrewillundoubtedlybe a materiallegacy of2008 – it’sbrickand concrete,veryphysical.“ “Duringthe threeyearswe were closed,therewas a holeinthe culturalfabricofthe city– people saidthey were missingBluecoat.Then we had an amazing response tothe re-opening weekend in March withpeoplecoming from as faraway as the US.” Among them was CultureSecretaryAndy Burnham who says:“The reopeningisa definingmoment inLiverpool’sCapitalofCultureyearand Iam verypleased thatone ofthe materiallegaciesof2008 willbe an organisationthatrecognisesthe importanceofcreativityineveryone’slives.” Originallya charityschoolforpoorchildren,the Queen Anne H-shaped Grade 1 listedbuildingdates back to1717.At the heartofitsrefurbishmentisa new wing,comprisingfourgalleries,a 200-seat performance space,studios,retailshops and a restaurantbar,thatwas once destroyed by firein
WorldWar II.
HAPPY PROJECT The Bluecoatchose the Dutch architecturepracticebiq,whose directorHans van der Heijden admits:“They took quitea riskwithbiq,because although we had builtmany housingprojectsinthe Netherlands,we had no experiencewithpublicbuildings. “But The Bluecoatwas a happy projectand somehow thisshows inthe result.” The architectchose touse bricksforthe extensiontocontinuethe historicdevelopmentofthe building,which has seen the use of“generationsofbricks”overthe years. One challengewas toremedy the 32 differentfloorlevelsdiscoveredinthe originalbuildingtogive easy access around the building. PeterMearns,ExecutiveDirectorofMarketingatthe NorthwestRegionalDevelopmentAgency (NWDA),which invested £2.5 milliontowardsthe work,says:“The Bluecoatisone ofthe city’sarchitecturalgems as wellas a fantasticresourceforcontemporaryartists,helpingtosupportcreativeand culturalindustrieson Merseyside.” The Bluecoat'sopeningprogramme ofeventsincluded an exclusiveperformance by Yoko Ono who alsounveiledher Wish Tree,partofher work being shown atthe Bluecoatas partofits'Now Then' exhibition. Artisa majorelementofLiverpool08 whose culturaleventsattracted1.15 millionpeopleinthe first two months ofthe year.The N W D A isa majorpartnerinCapitalofCulture,investing£2 millionto assistthe CultureCompany withitsculturalprogramme. One specialcommission,on displayatthe WalkerArtGalleryfrom May 24 isBen Johnson’s LiverpoolCityscape,a vast16ftby 8ftpaintingofLiverpoolcommissioned by NationalMuseums Liverpool.
FANTASTIC SUCCESS DuringFebruaryand March over36,000 peoplevisitedthe Walkertowatch the internationalartistat work ina speciallycreatedstudioon the largestand most complex paintinghe has everundertaken. The painting,which takesinLiverpool’sfamous skylinefrom a vantage pointhigh above the Mersey, willbe displayedwithhiswork on otherworldcitiesincludingpanoramas ofZurich,Jerusalem and Hong Kong. ChristophGrunenberg,DirectorofTate Liverpool,venue forthe 2007 TurnerPrizeon itsfirst stagingoutsideLondon,says:“The fantasticsuccess ofthe TurnerPrizeconfirmed the citywas ready for2008 and we are preparingtopresentmore high-profileinternationalexhibitions.” Among them isGustav Klimt:Painting,Design and Modern LifeinVienna 1900,the first comprehensiveexhibitionofKlimt’swork everstaged inthe UK, which opened atTate Liverpoolon May 30. A majorhighlightofthe three-month exhibitionisa fulls -calereconstructionofThe Beethoven Frieze,createdby Klimtforan exhibitionin1902 and now permanentlyinstalledinthe Secession buildinginVienna where itwas originallypresented. The exhibitionnotonlyfeaturesmajorpaintings,drawingsand graphicsbutfurniture,jewellery, fashion,graphicdesignand documentarymaterialassembled from acrossthe world.Tate Liverpoolis devotingthreeofits‘LateatTate’eveningstoeventsrelatedtothe exhibition. Opening inJulyatthe Lady LeverArtGalleryinPortSunlightisa new permanentexhibition featuringthe collectionofsuccessfulindustrialistWilliam HeskethLever,1stViscountLeverhulme. Leverthe Collector,an exhibitioninfivesections,willgivean insightintothe worldofViscount Leverhulme who amassed around 20,000 artworks,includingpaintings, ceramics,sculptureand furniture,inspiredby American businesstycoons who puttogethergreatart collections. But 2008 isnotconfinedtoart.For one week inSeptember,the UniversityofLiverpoolwillhostthe BA (BritishAssociationforthe Advancement ofScience)FestivalofScience,bringingtogetherover 350 ofthe UK’s top scientiststodiscussthe latestdevelopmentswiththe public. Steven Broomhead,ChiefExecutiveofthe N W DA, says:“England’sNorthwesthas a strong traditionofscientificexcellenceand thisFestivalwillhelptopositionthe city,and the region,as a driverforinnovationand celebrateour pastachievements.” Otherhighlightslaterinthe yearin
Liverpoolinclude: September 26-28:Artichoke,the creativecompany which broughtthe Sultan'sElephanttoLondon in 2006,willstage WillYou Find it?,a high profilestreettheatreshow November 6:2008 MTV Europe MusicAwards atthe Echo Arena Liverpool December 14:BBC SportsPersonalityofthe Year eventatthe Echo Arena Liverpool For furtherinformation: www.liverpool08.com www.thebluecoat.org.uk
“THIS REFURBISHED CENTRE WILL UNDO UBTEDLY BE A MATERIAL LEGACY OF 2008 – IT’SBRICK AND CONCRETE, VERY PHYSICAL.” ALASTAIR UPTON
CHIEF EXECUTIVE Nostalgicreturn – Yoko Ono revisitsthe Bluecoatwithher Wish Tree Tate coup – partofthe Gustav Klimtexhibition
PAGE 26-27 QUALITY OF LIFE
MUSEU M BOOST FOR HERITAGE TOURISM A museum chartingthe riseofdemocracy inBritain,which sitsproudlyon the banks ofthe RiverIrwell inthe world’sfirstindustrialcity,isundergoinga multim -illionredevelopment. Manchester’sPeople’sHistoryMuseum has receivedover£7 millionfrom the HeritageLottery Fund,witha furthergrantof£2 millioncoming from the NorthwestRegionalDevelopmentAgency (NWDA). The fundingwillsee the museum doubleinsize,witha new extensionbuiltalongsidethe listed Pump House buildingthathas been the museum’s home since1994. Ten yearsinthe planning,the developmentwillallow curatorstoconsolidatethe collectionon one site,whilelargerexhibitionspaces mean thatmany more artefactstellingthe storyofordinarypeople overthe last200 yearswillbe displayed. There willalsobe a greateremphasison interactiveexhibits,many highlightingthe unique role Manchesterhas played inthe historyofpopularprotestand workersrights,from the bloody Peterloo Massacre,tothe Co-operativeMovement and the Suffragettes. Due tore-open atthe end of2009,the museum alsoincludesthe largestcollectionofhistorictrade union and politicalbannersinthe world.The AssociationofGreaterManchesterAuthorities(AGMA) broughtthe originalexhibitsfrom London toManchesterin1990,usingthem as the centrepieceofthe NationalMuseum ofLabourHistoryon PrincessStreet,inthe same buildingwhere the TUC firstmet in1868. James Berresford,the N W D A’s DirectorofTourism,explains:“Culturalheritageinthe Northwestis an intrinsicpartofthe visitoroffer.Facilitieslikethisare hugelyimportantincreatinga sense ofplace and making our destinationdistinctive.
HERITAGE TOURISTS “But thisisby no means a one offand we are workingacrossthe regiontohelpculturalheritage initiativesthatfitinwithour overallstrategyforeconomic growth.” Thisstrategyislargelyimplemented by the Agency-funded organisationCultureNorthwest,while
furtherfundingisbeing leveredinthrough the NorthwestMuseum Hub and itsroleinthe national heritageprogramme, Renaissance inthe Regions. Accordingtothe Museum and LibrariesAssociationNorthWest,in2006 therewere 8.5 millionvisits tothe region’smuseums. With heritagetouristsstayinglongerand spendingmore money than those who visitsimplyforleisure,the N W D A estimatesthatculturalheritageisnow worth£3 billiona year. Research alsoshows thatheritagesitesare oftenthe hooks thatattractinternationalvisitorstothe regioninthe firstplace.For instance,over20% ofthe 30,000 annualvisitorstothe People’sHistory Museum were from overseas. As wellas attractingtouriststothe region,the new museum willalsobe engagingwithlocalpeople. There willbe an improved educationprogramme, coveringeveryone from pre-schoolchildrentoadult learners,and the originalPump House Engine Hallwillbe turned intoa dedicatedcommunitygallery forlocalgroups todisplaytheirwork. “Free museums are hugelyimportanttolocalpopulationsbecause theycan helpdevelopcivicpride and localidentity,”saysBerresford.
FASCINATING STORY The museum’s director,Dr Nick Mansfield,agrees:“Citizenshipisso importanttothe futurehealth ofthe nationand we feelthatwe have an importantand unique roletoplay. “Peopledon’tknow verymuch abouthow democracy came about.They assume thatit’salways been here butinfactit’san extremelyrecentdevelopmentand attimes achievingithas been a rough ride.But we’renow ina much betterpositiontotellthisfascinatingstory.” For furtherinformation:www.phm.org.uk
March ofprogress– the museum houses the world’slargestcollectionoftradeunion and politicalbanners Pump House building– listedhome ofthe People’sHistoryMuseum
THRILL SEEKERS HEAD FOR CU MBRIA Promoted as “thebiggestadventureplayground inthe country”,Cumbriahas ambitiousplans tobecome the AdventureCapitalofthe UK by 2012. Itsobviouscredentialsincludethe tallestmountain(ScafellPike)the deepestlake(Wastwater)and the steepestroad (HardknottPass)inEngland. The perfecttrialforitsambitionisthe county’s2008 Year ofAdventure,backed by the Northwest RegionalDevelopmentAgency (NWDA),witha programme ofeventsincludingrallies,cycle challenges,a marathon and triathlon. They have been added toa seriesofyear-round ‘extreme’sportsand activitiesalreadyon offer which includeaquasailing(abseilingdown waterfalls),open Canadian canoeing(a crossbetween sailingand canoeing),gorge scramblingand the more extreme canyoningand kitesurfing,one ofthe UK’s fastestgrowing ‘extreme’sports. Cumbrianow alsoboaststhe country’sfirstVia Ferrata-Italianfor‘ironroad’-where daredevils followa Victorianminers’routealong craggy cliffstoits2,126 ftsummitinBorrowdale.Opened inMay 2007,ithas alreadyattractedan average of300 thrill seekerseverymonth. Now CumbriaTourism,consciousofmarketresearchwhich revealsa growing appetiteforactivity
and adventureholidays,isbusy spreadingthe word aboutwhat it can offer.
ROADSIDE POSTERS Tourism staffpromoted the countyatthe DailyTelegraph AdventureTravelShow and the Ordnance Survey OutdoorsShow earlierthisyearand have launched Cumbria’sfirstmajoroutdoorsadvertising campaign,withsupportfrom the N W DA. Huge postershighlightingCumbriaare inplace on roadsidesand on digitalscreens inrailstationsin Liverpool,Manchesterand Leeds,aimed atthe 1.7 millionextravisitorsexpectedon Merseysidefor eventslinkedtothe European CapitalofCulture.
OUTDO O R ACTIVITY Sheona Southern,MarketingDirectorofCumbriaTourism,says:“So many peopleknow and love the Lake District– they come here forthe greatoutdoors.Now we want todevelopsome new projects around walking,bikingand watersports– and the technologytomake them alleasilyaccessibleand bookableinadvance on-line.” New businesses are being encouraged tomake Cumbriatheirhome and existingones offered supporttodevelopand expand. Greg Duckworth,who moved toCumbriaafter28 yearsinthe Southwest,startedSpinnoff,offeringprofessionalguided mountainbikingtofamilies,groups and individuals,threeyearsago. “The Lake Districtisregarded as the place forproperadventurousriding,”says Greg,whose customershave includeda partyofAmerican businessexecutives.“Although we offertripsinother areas ofthe UK, as wellas abroad,Cumbriaisour focus.” Nick Brooks-Sykes,Head ofTourism Marketingatthe N W DA, says:“Thisyeareach ofourregions has adopted a theme which playstoitsstrengthsand the outdoorsisexactlyrightforCumbria.It makes sense forthe initiativestoliveon beyond 2008. “Cumbriaisnow busy positioningitselfas a contemporarylocationforoutdooractivity,attracting new and youngermarkets,initsbidtobecome the UK’s AdventureCapital.” The Agency and itspartnersinCumbriahave combined todevelopthe veryfirstGreatNorthSwim on Lake Windermere on September 13.It’santicipatedthatthe televisedevent,deliveredby Brendan Foster’sNova International,organisersofthe GreatNorthRun, willattract1,000 swimmers and contributesignificantlytoCumbria’svisitoreconomy. For furtherinformation:www.golakes.co.uk
High life– Cumbriaisa growing centreforadventureholidays
PAGE 28-29 NOTEBO OK PEOPLE IN THE REGION
BartonjoinsENCA MS PhilBartonhas switched from being DirectorofRENE W Northwest– the regionalcentrefor excellenceforsustainablecommunities-tobeing ChiefExecutiveofENCAMS, the organisation dedicatedtodrivingup environmentalquality. His new responsibilitiesincludeoverseeingthe Keep BritainTidycampaign,the Blue Flag beach awards and the Eco-Schoolsprogramme. He willwork withcouncils,land managers and the governmentas partofthe CleanerSaferGreenerNetwork. As wellas workingforDefra,Bartonhas heldpostsatGroundwork,the Mersey BasinCampaign and the Co-operativeBank.
Rock iconbecomes LMJU Chancellor Musician-songwriterturned astronomer Dr BrianMay has been installedas the fourthChancellorof LiverpoolJohn Moores Universityata colourfulceremony atSt.George’sHallattended by Emeritus ChancellorsCherieBooth,QC, and John Moores and HonoraryFellows SirPatrickMoore and Pete Postlethwaite. He studiedAstrophysicsatImperialCollege,London,gaininga BSc beforeputtinghisacademic careeron holdtoconcentrateon hismusicalambitions,foundingthe world-famous rockgroup Queen. InOctober2007 he completedhisPhD thesis– 30 yearsafterstartingit-and was awarded his doctorate. Dr May’sinvolvementwithLMJU began in2007 when he was awarded an HonoraryFellowshipin recognitionofhisoutstandingcontributiontothe arts,butmore significantlyforencouragingpublic understandingofscience. He has alreadyestablishedlinkswithscientistsinthe university’sAstrophysicsResearch Institute, whose world-classresearch,work withschoolchildrenand developmentofrobotictelescopes earned them a Queen’sAnniversaryPrizein2005.
Gilltakeson biggerchallenge Jim Gill,one ofthe region’sbest-known regenerationexperts,has taken overas ChiefExecutiveof the newlyexpanded company LiverpoolVision,the organisationthatwilldriveforwardthe nextstage ofLiverpool’seconomic development. The new company isa mergerofthe oldLiverpoolVision,the UK’s firsturban regeneration company (URC),which was ledby Gillfrom itsinceptionin2001,BusinessLiverpooland Liverpool Land DevelopmentCompany. Gillhas heldseniorpositionswithEnglishPartnerships,includingthose ofCom mercialDirector,and NorthWest RegionalDirector,followingseveralyearsworkinginseniorrolesforthe governmentand AMEC. The new LiverpoolVisionwillhave a citywide remit.
New roleforMorton PeterMorton,formerlyChiefExecutiveofBusinessLinkGreaterMerseyside,has been appointedas the new DirectorofMersey Waterfront,the farreachingprogramme setup toregenerateLiverpool CityRegion’s90-milecoastline. His initialfocus willbe co-ordinatingthe £91 millionsecond phase ofthe Mersey Waterfront Programme and preparingthe new BusinessPlan tosecurefuturefundingsupport.Over the past30 yearshe has worked acrossMerseysideina varietyofrolesrelatingtoinvestmentand economic and businessdevelopment. The programme isfunded through the NorthwestRegionalDevelopmentAgency (NWDA) and European RegionalDevelopmentFund (ERDF)alongsideadditionalpublicand privatesectorsources.
Hellofrom Meek,farewellfrom
Barnes LizMeek, a seniorcivilservantwithextensiveexperienceofregenerationand urban developmentand a strong advocateofpartnershipworking,has succeeded KeithBarnes as RegionalDirectorof GovernmentOfficeforthe NorthWest (GON W). She takes up the postafterservingas RegionalDirectorofthe GovernmentOfficeforLondon since 2001,where she was responsibleforthe deliveryofa wide range ofpoliciesand programmes forthe cityfor11 governmentdepartments. Inrecentyearsshe has been heavilyinvolvedinpreparationsforthe successfulLondon 2012 Olympicbid.
Climatechange ambassador JessicaSmith,13,from Southportisthe Northwest’snew young ClimateChange Champion after successfullydemonstratinghow she would encourage behaviouralchange and tackleclimatechange. One ofher firstambassadorialjobswas a factfindingexpeditiontosee how climatechange was affectinga low-lyingcountrylikethe Netherlandsand see firsthand the adaptationtechniquesbeing adopted. To win the award,Jessica,a pupilatRange High SchoolinFormby,Sefton,acted outthe roleofa budding TV presenterina video aboutclimatechange thatinvolvedon-locationshootingatlocalwind turbines.Duringher yearinofficeshe willorganiseher own climatechange event.
LiverpoolBiennialpostforRidley Paula Ridley,formerlyChairman ofthe Victoriaand AlbertMuseum and a Directorofthe Gulbenkian Foundation,has agreed tobecome Chairman ofthe LiverpoolBiennial2008 festivalofcontemporary visualart,which starts inSeptember. She has stronglinkswiththe cityhavingbeen the firstChairman ofTate Liverpool,a postshe held forten yearswhilstalsoservingas a Tate Trusteeand as a Trusteeofthe NationalGallery. Duringher 12 yearsas Chairman ofthe LiverpoolActionTrustshe introduced an extensive programme ofpublicart.She isalsoa graduateand HonoraryGraduateofthe UniversityofLiverpool, and untilrecentlya member ofitsCouncil.She was awarded the CBE inthe 2008 New Year’s Honours.
PAGE 30 EVENTS
EVENT
HIGHLIGHTS For furtherinformationwww.nwda.co.uk/events MAY 03MAY28SEPT TATTON PARK BIENNIAL 2008 Givingheritagea contemporaryedge TattonPark,Cheshire
30MAY31AUG GUSTAV KLIMT EXHIBITION Painting,Design & Modern LifeinVienna 1900 LiverpoolTate
JUNE 12 JUN GREEN-CAR-GUIDE-LIVE!2008 Showcasing energy efficientvehicles ACC Liverpool
16JUN25AUG GO SUPERLAMBANANAS A seriesofspeciallydesigned Superlambananas take tothe streetsofLiverpool Variouslocations,Liverpool
19 JUN FOOD NORTH W E ST AWAR DS Toastingthe region’smost dynamic businesses BT ConventionCentre,Liverpool
JULY 15 JUL NORTH WEST REGIONAL ASSEMBLY ANNUAL CONFERENCE Regionalstakeholdersreview economic and socialprogress
BT ConventionCentre,Liverpool
17-20 JUL BRITISH OPEN GOLF CHA MPIONSHIP The world’stop golftournamentreturnstoNorthwest RoyalBirkdale,Southport
18-21 JUL START OF TALL SHIPS RACE Voyage ofmaritimenostalgia Liverpool
23-27 JUL RHS FLO WER SHO W Heady mix offloraldisplays,show gardens and tradestands TattonPark,Cheshire
AUGUST 23-25 AUG MATHE W STREET FESTIVAL Musicfestivalheldatvenues acrossLiverpoolcitycentre Variouslocations,Liverpool
29-31 AUG MINTFEST InternationalStreetperformersvisitKendalforan eclecticmix ofperformances. Variouslocations,Kendal
SEPTEMBER 06-11 SEPT BA FESTIVAL OF SCIENCE Scientificexcellenceunderthe microscope UniversityofLiverpool
14 SEPT TOUR OF BRITAIN FINALE Hostingthe finalstage ofBritain’spremiercyclerace Blackpooland Liverpool
18 SEPT IOD NORTH W E ST DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR AWAR DS Main speaker– sportpresenterGabby Logan CityofManchesterStadium
20SEPT30NOV LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL 2008 More impressiveinscaleand ambitionthan itspredecessors Variousvenues
26 SEPT N W D A ANNUAL CONFERENCE & AGM Takingstockofthe region’sachievements BT ConventionCentre,Liverpool Flowerpower – the RHS Show atTattonPark isa top visitorattraction Tour ofBritain– revisitsthe Northwest PAGE 31
GETTING IN TOUCH At the NorthwestRegionalDevelopmentAgency (NWDA), we valueyourviews and feedback. Visitwww.nwda.co.uk& www.visitenglandsnorthwest.com
KEY CONTACTS The N W DA’s ExecutiveTeam are based atitsHeadquartersin Warrington.
STEVEN BRO O M H E AD ChiefExecutive Tel:01925 400 133 Email:Steven.Broomhead@nwda.co.uk
BERNICE LAW
ChiefOperatingOfficer, (currentlyon secondment atthe LiverpoolCultureCompany)
Tel:01925 400 532 Email:Bernice.Law@nwda.co.uk IAN HAYTHORNTH W AITE
ExecutiveDirector, Resources Tel:01925 400 116 Email:Ian.Haythornthwaite@nwda.co.uk MARK HUGHES ExecutiveDirector, Enterpriseand Skills Tel:01925 400 531 Email:Mark.Hughes@nwda.co.uk PETER MEARNS ExecutiveDirector, Marketing Tel:01925 400 212 Email:Peter.Mearns@nwda.co.uk PATRICK W HITE ExecutiveDirector,Policy Tel:01925 400 274 Email:Patrick.White@nwda.co.uk PETER W HITE ExecutiveDirector, Development Tel:01925 400 299 Email:Peter.White@nwda.co.uk JAMES BERRESFORD
DirectorofTourism Tel:01925 400 472 Email:James.Berresford@nwda.co.uk FIONA MILLS DirectorofHuman Performance Tel:01925 644 422 Email:Fiona.Mills @nwda.co.uk
HEAD OFFICE The N W DA manages alloperationsfrom itsHeadquartersat: HEAD OFFICE PO Box 37,Renaissance House, CentrePark,WarringtonWA1 1XB Tel:+44 (0)1925 400 100 Fax:+44 (0)1925 400 400 e-mail:information@nwda.co.uk
PRINT STOCK: Cover:ChallengerLaserMattistotallychlorinefreeand acquiredonlyfrom suppliersoperating
sustainableforestreserves. Text:Cyclusoffsetismanufacturedusing only100% recycledpostconsumer waste. Designed and produced by Kaleidoscope ADM, Liverpool.www.kadm.co.uk N W DA KADM 05/08 20950