Two squares in Salford are to be renamed in honour of the city’s twin towns.
The area in front of Swinton Gateway and the space outside the Lowry Hotel are to be named Lunen Square and Clermont-Ferrand Square respectively.
The move is to commemorate 50 years of town twinning links between Salford and the German and French cities.
VIP guests from the two cities will visit Salford this weekend coming to take part in celebration events.
On Saturday June 25 the mayor of Clermont-Ferrand Monsieur Olivier Bianchi will unveil the plaque outside the Lowry Hotel followed by a reception at the hotel. In the afternoon the mayor of Lunen, Herr Jürgen Kleine-Frauns, will unveil the plaque at Swinton, followed by a free public concert at St Peter’s Church, Swinton, with Eccles Community Choir from 5pm to 6pm.
Councillor Derek Antrobus, chair of the Town Twinning Forum, said: “Clermont-Ferrand has a Place Salford and a Le Salford cafe so we thought it was time parts of Salford were forever French and German.
“Our friendships with the two cities which have lasted for 50 years will now be set in stone!”
Adrian Ellis, general manager at the five star Lowry Hotel said: “We are really pleased to be involved in the 50 year commemoration, especially as we celebrate our 15th anniversary this year.
“Our hotel is experiencing a major upturn in international visitors with increased visitor arrivals from Europe, Middle East and China. We are proud to be part of this growing dynamic market and at the same time appreciating the rich historical links that the hotel has with the city.”
Premium developer Dandara, which owns and manages land and a number of major properties surrounding the Lowry Hotel, will be facilitating the plaque’s placement.
Sean O’Connor, Project Director at Dandara commented: “This commemorative event is an important milestone in Salford’s history – helping to build an even greater sense of community between the twinned cities.
“We have invested considerably in the area over the years, and are just about to commence construction on the adjacent Chapel Wharf development, so it is a great time for us to lend our support and help mark this historic occasion.”
And on Sunday June 26 the VIPs will also plant two trees in Lightoaks Park, Claremont Road, Salford to mark the anniversary, before touring MediaCityUK.
The idea for twinning links between towns and cities in Europe and Great Britain came from the Second World War as part of initiatives for peace and reconciliation.
Salford, Swinton and Pendlebury’s links with France and German were forged by former solicitor and councillor, Jack Goldberg, a soldier in World War II and Les Suggett, a miner, who was a guard in a German prisoner of war camp following World War II.
