27 September 2010
Central Salford has surpassed all of its original
investment targets and the key projects and investment levels
promised by 2020 remain on track.
That was the message from Central Salford Urban Regeneration
Company’s Chief Executive Chris Farrow at its 'Investing in
Regeneration' conference on 23 September, sponsored by Urban
Vision, Capita Symonds joint venture with Salford City Council.
Over 200 high profile property and regeneration delegates from
across the region joined the Central Salford team and sponsors,
Urban Vision and Roland Dransfield PR to consider the next steps in
realising Salford’s ambition to become a beautiful, vibrant,
prosperous City.
Richard Wynne,
Director, Urban Vision (left) opened the event before handing over
to Chris Farrow, together with the URC’s Development Director Karen
Hirst, spoke about the importance of public/private sector
partnerships to deliver and fulfill Salford’s ambitions. Other
topics included the importance of the Joint European Support for
Sustainable Investment in City Areas (JESSICA) and the North West
Evergreen Fund (Evergreen) in helping new projects to find
investment.
Guests including Barbara Spicer, Chief Executive of Salford City
Council, Nick Payne MD of Nikal and Rowena Burns, Chief Operating
Officer of Bruntwood took part in a panel debate chaired by North
West Business Insider’s Neil Tague.
Questions from the audience focused strongly
on the likely impact to projects of potential funding cuts. Karen
Hirst emphasised that all of Central Salford’s key projects
including Chapel Street, Irwell River Park and Greengate already
have the required funding in place.
As she explained: “Existing projects are
secure because we made sure the investments were in place some time
ago. The real challenge is going to be on maintaining momentum and
continuing to find new ways to finance future works. That is where
the public/private partnerships we have seen to date will really
come into force and it is vital that we continue to foster
relationships in this area.
Chris Farrow added: “As highlighted this
evening, with the strong support of our public and private sector
partners, our local community and businesses, we have achieved
great things interesting times.”
About Central Salford Urban
Regeneration Company
Central Salford Urban Regeneration Company was
established by Salford City Council, the Northwest Regional
Development Agency and the national regeneration agency, English
Partnerships (now the Homes and Communities Agency) in 2005 and is
responsible for bringing about the transformation of Central
Salford.
An Urban Regeneration Company (URC) is a
not-for-profit company set-up to attract investment and create
prosperity in less wealthy areas. Different URCs across the country
may achieve this in different ways. In Central Salford, the main
job for the URC is to transform the local economy and opportunities
for local people, make the area more attractive, radically improve
its image and enhance Salford’s many public spaces and
waterways.
For more information regarding the
Vision and Regeneration Framework for Central Salford
visit: http://www.centralsalford.com/