VINCI boss says: “We have many connections and we will follow them”
What Eden Project Morecambe would look like from the seafront(Image: Grimshaw/Eden Project)
The company awarded the main contract to build the Eden Project in Morecambe says it will ensure there are opportunities for smaller and younger businesses during construction.
VINCI Construction will create the Eden attraction on Morecambe seafront, where a ground-breaking ceremony was held last week marking the first phase of landscaping works due to begin this summer.
The Eden project includes two clamshell domes, a significant reduction from the four originally planned, and is expected to boost the regeneration of Morecambe and the wider regional economy. Eden bosses said the original Eden Project in Cornwall has generated £6.8bn for the local economy over 25 years.
Speaking at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, during an event to celebrate the start of the construction phase, Nick Hamer, from VINCI, mentioned other large projects already carried out in the region. He said: “With the Blackpool King Street office, 52 per cent of supplier contracts, worth £38m, were spent within a 30-mile radius. And a higher proportion were spent within a 50-mile radius.
“And we have carried out work throughout the north west, including Kendal and Preston. We have many connections and we will follow them to Eden in Morecambe.”
VINCI said they had 200 employees and many had been with them for many years after completing internships, HNC courses and leisure courses at university.
People looking at a model of the Morecambe Eden Project at the community conversation event in Winter Gardens(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)
Richard Slater, contracts manager, said they hope to employ people from Morecambe on this project.
He highlighted VINCI projects including the expansion of the Royal Preston Hospital, the Radcliffe Civic Hub in Greater Manchester and the One Central Park offices in east Manchester.
He added: “Radcliffe Civic Hub has really transformed the area and attracted young people into construction, who we hope will stay with us for some years.”
Commenting on regional economies, Eden Morecambe boss John Pye said: “Over the last 25 years, the Eden Project in Cornwall has attracted 25 million visitors, £630 million has been spent locally with suppliers and there has been an economic impact of £6.8 billion across the region.
The Eden Project Morecambe community conversation event in Winter Gardens(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)
“Can you imagine what Morecambe will get in 25 years? Eden has really strong local connections in Cornwall and it’s important we base this approach in Morecambe too.
“We have already organized events with suppliers and people have asked us how they can participate. Now VINCI will put a rocket into all this to boost our relationships.”
Other organizations involved with Eden include Lancaster & Morecambe College. The dedication ceremony included VIPs posing with a giant 7-foot shovel made by college welding and carpentry students. He showed off his skills, including widening a single piece of wood, taken from a tree felled at the university.
Ryan Williams and Phil Allott from Lancaster & Morecambe College holding a giant shovel made by students at the opening ceremony of the Eden Project Morecambe(Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service)
Ryan Williams and Phil Allott lead the university’s engineering and construction courses. Ryan said: “The college has been involved with Eden for some time and our work together will be very important for the young people and the town.
The Morecambe Bay curriculum has been developed and offers a clear route for young people through school and university. It focuses on sustainability, including construction materials and techniques, recycling and waste minimization.
“Eden will also help us prepare young people for work through work experiences and other visits. “This will give young people important ‘soft skills’ such as communication and teamwork, as well as practical skills and qualifications.
“Also, our students want to feel that people care about Morecambe. So there is a lot of positivity in all of this and they are very proud of what is happening.”
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