To coincide with 20 years of National Lottery investment into the UK’s heritage, amounting to over £6billion – including £144.9m in 331 projects in Manchester alone, the Heritage Lottery Fund have commissioned a survey of 12 towns and cities across the UK to gauge public views on Lottery investment and to see to what extent it had made places better to live, work in or visit.
The findings above form part of a poll conducted by specialist research company BritainThinks. It found that as well as making places visually more attractive and providing activities and places to visit, heritage is also seen as hugely important for the local economy and instilling local pride and community cohesion.
Manchester’s heritage offer is a diverse one with sites ranging from the People’s History Museum to The Gorton Monastery, Heaton Park and the recently reopened Whitworth.
In fact, museums, libraries and archives, historic buildings and land and biodiversity are among the top three areas of HLF investment in Manchester.
The survey found that 85% of people in Manchester believe heritage is important for their local area and an impressive 80% of residents feel that heritage benefits them personally with parks and green spaces having a particularly powerful impact.
71% of residents living around Heaton Park for example said their quality of life was improved by having it nearby and 82% of local visitors feel that taking part in their local heritage has increased their understanding of the history of Manchester.
Sara Hilton, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund North West, said: “It’s fantastic to see the clear sense of pride that people have for Manchester and its heritage, as well as the personal and economic benefits that have come from investing in that heritage. The study also shows us that we all still have work to do to increase involvement in the amazing projects that are already happening and inspire new ones, especially exploring community and intangible heritage, to ensure our city’s rich heritage story is fully told.”
Nick Brook-Sykes, Director of Tourism at Marketing Manchester, said: “Greater Manchester has given the world so much in terms of culture, science and sport and it’s the region’s unique heritage that makes Manchester both the third most visited and one of the UK’s most liveable cities.
“The Heritage Lottery Fund has, of course, been fundamental to the on-going development of Manchester as a visitor destination – from the People’s History Museum and National Football Museum to Elizabeth Gaskell’s House and Manchester Central Library. HLF investment in these attractions has clearly fuelled both tourism and civic pride. One only needs to look at the fantastic success of the newly reopened Whitworth to understand the impact that heritage has had and continues to have on communities in creating vibrant communities. I look forward to continued partnership with HLF to further develop and improve our visitor offer.”
