North West Regional Action Plan - ProjectsPlease select a project for more details:
Graduate Entrepreneurship Programme (M1.1) The key aim of the project is to develop a pilot regional entrepreneurship programme aimed at graduates of North West Universities, which will directly tie with existing business start and entrepreneurship initiatives. The project will achieve its aims by, among other things, delivering entrepreneurship business support programmes, providing access to finance and establishing a Northwest graduate entrepreneur's network. Specifically the project will: Deliver 110 new businesses focusing upon sectors. Contact: Bede Mullen The New Enterprise Scholarship (M1.1) The New Enterprise Support (NES) project will support the delivery of the aims of priority 1, measure 1, by developing and testing an innovative approach to new business start-up support. The programme will contribute to the achievement of RES Action 3. by ensuring that business start-up and survival provision is targeted at 110 SMEs in under-performing sectors of the region and hard to reach groups, specifically women entrepreneurs, individuals from ethnic and minority groups, and individuals with a disability. Working in partnership with the Transitional Business Link Team the project will explore and pilot key aspects of the proposed North West Business Links Service Strategy by offering information, diagnostic and mentor support to a range of start-up and recently established SMEs with high-growth potential, with a particular but not exclusive focus on the knowledge-based industries. Contact: Kevin Boles Virtual Environments Tech. Support (VETS)(M1.2) In line with Measure 1.2, the project will directly contribute to building a dynamic digital economy to increase the competitiveness of established SMEs in the Objective 2 area and create sustainable competitive advantage and employment opportunities, specifically assisting companies with long term growth potential to exploit ICT and e-commerce opportunities through the use of virtual environments and visualization related technologies. These activities are in line with the Objective 2 programme complement (activities under measure 1.2) as follows: (1) Business counselling, advice, and consultancy (e.g. support for developing new markets, ICT development, innovation and product development, customer relations, marketing, sales and distribution, management and human resource development). Contact: Nigel Mellors Agenda for Change in North West Manufacturing (M1.2) Manufacturing remains a vital part of the NW economy, providing a significant number of jobs directly and supporting others in the service sector. However, the region's companies face major challenges from low-cost competition overseas. They must change to meet the challenge, or continue a hitherto remorseless jobs decline, with severe consequences for the region. The Agenda for Change project will deliver specialist advice to manufacturing companies across the region. The service to be provided draws on the experience gained from the Dti-funded Manufacturing Advisory Service (MAS) operated by TPMI(Trading) Limited (TPMI) for the past two years. Additional services will be added to the current portfolio as a result of demand from the client base. The aim of the project is to improve manufacturing productivity, resulting in improved financial results and positive outcomes for jobs and the sustainability of this vital sector of the NW economy. The project meets the objectives of the Dti's Manufacturing Strategy and the NWDA's own 'Making Things Better', as both documents include improved productivity as a key challenge. Contact: Dominic Payne Regional innovation in the Creative Industries (RICI) (M1.2) The Creative Industries Development Service will lead on a regional programme of activity which will develop SME business processes to underpin market development. The purpose of the project will be to accelerate cluster development and establish strategic relationships with companies which are significant to the region's economy to encourage their growth and investment. It aims to increase the level of innovation and enterprise and build capacity to realize international trade capacity. The project will also assist companies in exploiting the opportunities afforded by emerging technologies through convergence in product development and new media platforms. Companies will be assisted in accessing new market opportunities in the region, nationally and where applicable international trade links. International links will be relevant specifically to the Design for Production element which will include representation of companies at the Trade Exhibition 100% Design which takes place annually in London and attracts buyers from overseas. In the case that a group of companies identifies overseas opportunities as a key driver of growth, international activity may also be considered in the partnerships with other networks (for example, the advertising sector has identified potential opportunity in the United States). In this case, for example, the content of the seminar programme would involve investigation of the market opportunity and options for joint promotion or collaborative bidding for contracts. The activity supported through this project will take place exclusively in the UK and only costs incurred in the UK will be included. The programme would be delivered in close consultation with UKTI, utilising schemes such as Passport to Export where appropriate." Contact: Lyn Barbour Passport to International Trade Success Phase 2 (M1.2) The aim of the project is to develop the competitiveness of SMEs across the North West region ERDF supported Fully Eligible Area (FEA). It will deliver awareness raising, diagnostics and action planning as well as market research, translation, interpretation, travel assistance and mentoring through value added support. This is a separate programme to the current UKTI 'Passport to Export Success' project which focuses on new and novice exporters but will enhance this by providing additional support to slightly more experienced companies (exporting 15%/40% of T/O) to develop their business by engaging with and accessing new markets. The current ERDF Passport to International Trade Success' programme finishes in December 2005. Best practice and proven success developed during this project has been incorporated into the new project plan. The project will complement the Regional International Trade Strategy / Regional Economic Strategy and incorporate specific sectoral elements. The project will focus on both the target and established sectors identified in the NWDA England's North West "A Strategy Towards 2020". Contact: Lynn Shaw Hospitality and Leisure Manpower (M1.2) This project is consistent with the requirements of the North West Regional Action Plan in that this will be delivered regionally and focus on the development of a priority sector identified within the Regional Economic Strategy. This will also support the delivery of the objectives within the Regional Tourism Strategy to make the North West the best tourism destination in the country and to bring about a step-change in the performance of the tourism sector of the economy. This will be achieved by: improving the tourism product that brings people to England's Northwest, improving 'soft' tourism infrastructure, boosting the performance of tourism businesses and maximising the potential of the people who work in the sector. The Northwest Beacon Business project will strengthen competitiveness in the region's growth SMEs by improving the productivity and performance in the tourism sector of the North West, through providing access to innovative, bespoke business support. Links with the universities are being strengthened through the formation of a steering group to discuss the NW Higher Education Tourism Partnership project framework and Beacon Businesses. Contact: Richard Whittle Creating Connections to Local Treasures (Harris) (M3.2) The project aims to provide economic benefits for the North West region by drawing additional visitors to Preston city centre through the development and marketing of a dynamic improvement and upgrading of the ceramics and glass gallery. This will include the provision of new cases, exciting interpretation including digital, audio-visual technologies and focused activities for families, special interest groups and tourist visitors. The project will enhance the Harris Museum and Art Gallery, a Grade 1 listed building in the heart of Preston city centre, and take advantage of the museum's excellent public transport links and its existing collaborative projects and marketing initiatives with other heritage attractions in the region. The project has links to several regional strategies including the NWDA Regional Economic Strategy 'Culture and Image, Transformational Action 54: Capitalising on the Strengths and Assets of Manchester, Liverpool and Preston' and the Strategy for Tourism in the North West, 'Regional Gems'. In addition, the project fits in with strategies developed specifically for the museum sector including MLA North West, the NW Regional Museum Hub and local Tourist Board initiatives. Contact: Alexandra Walker Cleveleys Coastal Regeneration Scheme (M3.2) The project demonstrates strategic fit with the proposed Northwest Regional Coastal Trail that will provide a significant recreational resource accommodating a variety of users being fully accessible to all. It will include interpretation of local features including wildlife and coastal heritage enhancing the visitor experience and encouraging people to use other facilities in the area. Work is currently underway to assess the impact of the sea defence works on local wildlife under the guidance of English Nature as part of the establishment of a Special Protection Area (SPA) spanning Liverpool Bay, the Ribble Estuary, the Fylde Coast and Morecambe Bay. This designation recognised throughout Europe will promote a positive image of the Northwest and act as a showcase for our natural coastal heritage. It will contribute to the regeneration of the Northwest's coastal resorts and towns and form an important component of waterside regeneration initiatives such as Merseyside Waterfront Regional Park. A major benefit of the coastal trail will be the creation of income and employment in the communities through which the Trail passes e.g. users of the Pembrokeshire Coast Path spent around £12m and supported over 560 jobs in 1996/7. Contact: Karen Stringer Sense of Place (M3.2) 'Sense of Place' is a project designed to 'make it easy' for visitors to navigate Manchester's distinct urban spaces and to improve the appeal of key areas to business and leisure visitors. Each of the 'places' identified is a regional gem in its significance for Manchester and the region. The project has been designed to enhance Manchester's status as a destination and increase the number of visitors from outside the region - both leisure and business. The project will help the region develop an internationally significant 'character map' of its largest urban tourism asset - in the shape of Manchester - which will have clarity in its distinctiveness and broad appeal by the nature of its diversity. It will also support the brand identity of Manchester and the region. The project will help to enhance the city's, and the region's, strengths:increasing visitor appeal and improving the visitor experience. This will result in increased tourism revenue for Manchester, Manchester's tourism related businesses - boosting the region's economy. The project will also enhance Manchester's image and reputation as a destination and will help drive visitors to ERDF eligible areas. Contact: Bruce O'Brien Regeneration by Light (M3.2) This project is to create a number of permanent lighting installations in Blackpool town centre, to complement Masterplan developments and the wider regeneration of the resort. The intention is to use these installations as a backdrop for a series of events and festivals in the town centre over the year, in addition to the traditional illuminations festival. Contact: Jackie Potter Tourism Connect Phase 1 (M3.2) Tourism Connect Phase 1 is a grant scheme to assist tourism businesses in raising their quality and performance. The need for this programme emerged from a major study of the tourism industry undertaken independently by consultants Locum Destination Consulting in 2002/03 in which the twin threats of growing competition from other destinations and complacency amongst many of the established operators presented a real concern for the future of one of Cumbria's major business sectors. CTB and its economic regeneration partners (principally the NWDA and the RRC) recognised that public sector advice, support and investment was necessary to drive up standards in accommodation, public realm, visitor facilities and customer service throughout the industry. A series of case studies were prepared for the industry to encourage better practice and to stimulate investment (The Better than the Best Programme) which led to some small scale private sector improvements. However a good deal more targeted investment is required to raise the quality and standards of accommodation in the County. This undoubtedly now requires a scheme of grant incentives from the public sector to encourage quality improvements. Tourism Connect Phase 1 will provide grants to some 36 SME's located in the Cumbria Objective 2 area for capital investment schemes to raise the quality of accommodation. In parallel with the capital investment, which will be carefully targeted to raise interior design standards and the sustainability of businesses, operators will be required to participate in business development and training initiatives to raise business performance through complementary programmes of activity (funded from other sources). This will lead to an increase in competitiveness, improve the productivity of the business and exploit the growth potential of the tourism sector in the County as a whole. The programme will run for 2 years between August 2006 and June 2008 and be carefully monitored to measure its impacts. If successful it is proposed that it should be extended to a wider number and range of businesses in Cumbria (and perhaps the NW Region) to produce a more comprehensive and transformational impact. The need for the programme is recognised in the new Regional Economic Strategy (Action 101 as part of the Lake District Renaissance Programme) and flagged up in Lake District Economic Futures (Consultants Recommendation 6) which has subsequently been endorsed by the Agency. These priorities are fully embedded in the Destination Management Plan for Cumbria 2006-07 which has been prepared and endorsed by CTB together with over 30 partner organisations and Local Authorities in the County. Tourism Connect Phase 1 seeks Priority 3 ERDF resources. It is focussed on one of the 16 business sectors selected in the NW RAP in a sub region of the North West whose economy is under performing and with GVA levels well below the Regional and National average. The project will have significant private sector engagement, will promote employment growth, take forward best practice, very much reflects market needs and will be sustainable beyond the life of the ERDF programme. Lessons learned from the first phase of Tourism Connect can be carried forward into a second and more extensive grant programme to raise the performance of a wider range of tourism businesses across Cumbria and potentially the NW Region. Contact: Richard Greenwood Destination Maryport (M3.2) The purpose of the project is to develop and enhance Maryport's role as an important tourism centre on the west coast of Cumbria. This will be achieved through the construction of a new Visitor attraction and visitor orientation centre on a tract of vacant brownfield land near Maryport harbour. This is compliant with the ERDF Priority 3 objective as stated in the North West Objective 2 Programme Complement. In particular the project shows a good fit with the Measure 3.2 in that the project will support the implementation of the Regional Tourism Strategy by exploiting the region's existing assets that cover natural, cultural and industrial heritage and will use them as a key catalyst for economic diversification to create and retain jobs through the development of a sustainable tourist destination. Investment in this project will also support the development of a new cultural and tourism asset. Contact: Ron Simpson Wigan Greenheart Phase 1 (M3.2) Flashes and the wider Greenheart area, and so create jobs within the designated South Wigan and Ince EDZ area. In terms of the type of activities that Measure 3.2 capital and revenue expenditure will support, the project correlates strongly with the following: Enhancement and up grading of existing cultural heritage and visitor attractions. The project will develop existing natural heritage assets by increasing key areas of habitat, especially for rare species,by improving visitor access through the area and by commencing infrastructure works on the major Bickershaw site. The project builds upon significant Built and Natural Heritage assets, including the Leeds Liverpool (Leigh Branch) Canal. There is an increasing appreciation of the national heritage of the area. This was recognised in the North West Wetlands Study and is exemplified by the number of Sites of Biological Importance including several SSSI's within the area. The Greenheart project is recognised regionally and is specifically included with the RES and Regional Spatial Strategy. Contact: Christine Bainbridge The North West's Industrial Heritage Exhibition (M3.2) The project involves improving the Museum and the region's industrial heritage tourism product by creating a new introductory exhibition at the entrance to the Museum that provides: an overview of the Museum's main themes in a refurbished space using a selection of iconic objects, graphic panels and other supporting media which improves the quality of the Museum's experience for visitors by enhancing access to the other galleries and exhibits; an introduction and direction to other key heritage attractions in the North West through graphic panels and kiosks providing access to the 'industrial powerhouse' website which raises awareness of the North West's unique industrial past and other visitor attractions, encouraging visitors to visit other destinations in the City of Manchester and the wider region. The project fits in with the following regional strategies: 'Regional Economic Strategy' (assisting in positioning the North West as the best tourism destination in Britain); 'Strategy for Tourism in England's North West' (development of regional gems); 'Cultural Strategy Action Plan 2004-06' (developing cultural gems); 'Celebrating our Cultural Heritage: investing in a future for all - Regional Museums Strategy for the North West MLA' (connecting with new audiences); 'Great Destinations' (local tourism information provision); 'For the Greater Good: a five year tourism strategy for Greater Manchester 2003-2008' (building on Manchester's reputation as the world's first industrial city to enhance existing tourism product). Contact: Robin Holgate The Grizedale Project (M3.2) The purpose of the project is to build on and maximise the economic benefits and potential of the existing visitor attraction of Grizedale Forest and associated Visitor Centre in the Lake District National Park for the tourist economy of the region whilst protecting and conserving the natural heritage of the area. It will do this by providing high quality new and enhanced visitor attractions and facilities which will attract new and return visitors to the area. This will create increased value tourist activity in the area for tourist businesses and thus increased employment opportunities. The project will provide a sustainable tourist attraction in the South Lakes, enhance an existing sub-regional visitor attraction, extend the range of recreational tourism opportunities in the region, protect and conserve a unique natural heritage asset, support a sustainable public transport link to the attraction, provide all year and all weather access, information about the attraction and associated facilities. The project will include joint packaging & marketing of the existing assets and attractions of the area as a tourist destination. The project supports the key strategic objective to be delivered by the Objective 2 Priority 3 programme: to address the environmental legacy of the past through supporting opportunity led investment that creates new income and employment opportunities while restoring or maintaining the heritage assets of the region. It will deliver two key themes of Priority 3, capturing untapped economic benefits for culture & tourism from natural heritage assets & to contribute to the development of a positive image of the North West Objective 2 area. The project supports and will deliver against four out of the five themes in the Draft Regional Economic Strategy of: Business, Regeneration, Infrastructure and Quality of Life. It will also help deliver the key strategic objectives of the Regional Action Plan, Rural Regeneration Cumbria New Landscapes, the North West and Cumbria Tourism Strategies. Contact: Emma Athersmith Fusiliers Museum (M3.2) The larger project is concerned with the redevelopment of the existing Fusilier Museum in Bury with its very fine museum collections and archives and massive potential for increasing social inclusivity through imaginative and engaging interpretation. The redevelopment is taking place in an historic town centre building in the Cultural Quarter of Bury called the Arts and Crafts Centre, to create a new and appealing cultural visitor attraction, which will substantially augment the cultural and tourist landscape of the town and the region. The Fusiliers' Museum collections and archives will be interpreted with new permanent and temporary displays and made fully accessible within the context of the town and the region's history to tell an engaging social history story. Contact: Rosemary Allen Developing Visitor Facilities at Geltsdale (M3.2) We aim to create and enhance access and interpretation at the RSPB's Geltsdale nature reserve in Cumbria, providing a high quality and inspirational visitor experience. We want to attract new visitors to the reserve whilst at the same time protecting the fragile habitats and sensitive nature of this site. We will refurbish two derelict cottages, known locally as Stagsike Cottages, which will become a centre of operations for visitor, volunteer and staff activity. Alongside this, we will develop the visitor infrastructure at the reserve, including new waymarked walking trails, new interpretation including CCTV camera on barn owl nest, new car-parking, the purchase of a small piece of land opposite the car park, and improvements to the track leading to Stagsike. This contributes to the Objective 2 Regional Action Plan under Measure 3.2 Natural Economy Projects. We will help to fulfil the main aim of this measure by contributing to the improvement of the quality of the region's natural environment. Contact: Julia del Nevo
Click on the title of one of the following funding programmes for more information:
GM ERDF GM SE Action Plan Irwell Mcr Action Plan NW Action Plan NW Regional Action Plan |
:: Key Documents ::
The following documents are available to download here:
RDPE Greater Manchester Implementation Plan
Greater Manchester City Strategy Business Plan
City Region Development Plan 2006
Greater Manchester Economic Development Plan 04/05-06/07
GM Skills Analysis February 2007
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RDPE Greater Manchester Implementation Plan