Businesses and organizations from across Salford and Trafford have released plans today to turn Salford Quays into the North West’s equivalent of London’s South Bank.
The report, published during English Tourism Week, a VisitEngland campaign to promote the value of the tourism industry to the nation, sets the goal by 2017 that the Quays will attract 3.4m visitors, support more than 3,700 jobs and generate £340m for the local economy each year.
London’s South Bank saw a similar partnership of organisations work together on a long-term commitment to improving the visitor experience of the area.
Established 14 years ago, today it is one of the most successful tourism consortiums in operation and brings together the organisations committed to promoting the area as a single destination.
The group of businesses who commissioned the Quays DMP comprises: BBC North, IWM North, ITV, The Lowry, Lancashire County Cricket Club, Manchester United, MediaCityUK, Salford City Council, Trafford Council and the University of Salford.
Graham Boxer, director of IWM North, said: “The DMP outlines the ambition and commitment of ten organisations to the Quays – the benefit of which will be felt across the North West. Bigger and better results are achieved in partnership and the Quays deserves nothing less.”
Julia Fawcett OBE, chief executive of The Lowry, said: “The Lowry has been a cornerstone of the £1.4bn regeneration of the Quays and is proof of the catalysing power of the arts. The DMP will ensure that success story continues and that the area continues to deliver for local people.”
Lady Cobham, chairman of VisitEngland, said: “The tourism industry is worth £106 billion to the economy in England, supporting 2.6 million jobs. The Quays makes an important contribution to the local economy and this destination management plan sets out an ambitious set of aspirations which will further build on the significant investment made in recent years. On behalf of VisitEngland I congratulate you on this commitment to providing an excellent visitor experience.”
