Friday 27th April 2007

Agreement paves the way for world-class attraction

A three-way agreement was signed today, Friday 27th April 2007, paving the way for the creation of a new Irish World Heritage Centre in Manchester.

The agreement between the City Council, the trustees of the existing Irish World Heritage Centre and developer Teesland iDG sets out the roles and responsibilities which each party will take on to move the project forwards.

The trio now aim to finalise designs and funding before submitting a planning application for the 25-acre site at Queens Road, Cheetham Hill, behind the Manchester Fort retail park.

The proposal is to replace the existing Irish World Heritage Centre with a new complex including a world-class museum, a hotel, playing fields and more than 220,000 sq ft of employment space ranging from large to small units. The new centre would be a nationally and internationally significant attraction. It has the backing of the Irish Government, which is making a very substantial financial contribution towards construction costs.

The existing Irish World Heritage Centre in Cheetham Hill is a popular community facility used by a wide range of ethnic groups. But it is too small to meet demand and its current location has prevented it from realising its full potential.

City Council leader Sir Richard Leese said: "A much improved Irish Centre has been a long-standing aspiration as part of the regeneration of North Manchester. We're especially pleased that it's being brought forward as part of a comprehensive development which will bring valuable new jobs to the area. These proposals are genuinely exciting."  

The Irish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Dermot Ahern T.D., warmly welcomed the agreement.   "The Irish Government is delighted to support this exemplary project.  It will provide the Irish community in Manchester with a state of the art facility and garden and playground area to support the flourishing community activities, ranging from musical and sporting events to community functions and social activities for older Irish people in the area."

Michael Forde, Chairman of the Irish World Heritage Centre Trustees

“This is a huge leap forward for the many supporters of this exciting project. Our vision is the establishment of a centre of excellence which will provide unique visitor facilities, exhibitions, entertainment, sport and cultural activities, for all the people of Manchester and Irish people world-wide.”

Andrew Slipper, Managing Director of Teesland iDG, said he was delighted to reach the point where the scheme can go ahead.

“This has been two years in the planning stage, marrying the requirements of the Trustees, The City Council and ourselves. Our business park which will be no more than 1.5 miles to the City Centre will provide much-needed space for the Cheetham business community, City Centre occupiers requiring ancillary space and space to cater for growth business in Manchester.”