Press Releases
All the latest press releases issued by the NWDA and its partner
organisations are listed below. Older press releases can be found
by visiting the archive.
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NWDA & NWRA to provide a joint response to debate on economic regeneration reforms
06 May 2008
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and the North West Regional Assembly (NWRA) will work together to provide the UK Government with a single, unified, response from the Northwest to the Sub National Review (SNR) consultation. The consultation paper outlines how the Government plans to implement the proposals of last year’s Sub-National Review of Economic Development and Regeneration, which includes a strengthened role for England’s business-led RDAs and lead responsibility for producing a regional strategy for sustainable economic growth in each region in close partnership with the region’s local authorities, who will have a leading role working through the new Regional Leaders Forum to agree the strategy.
65 things to do in Cumbria
29 April 2008
Cumbria Tourism has come up with 65 fun-packed ideas for how to best enjoy the forthcoming bank holiday weekends in the county.
The Prince of Wales and the Prime Minister call on North West businesses to tackle climate change
29 April 2008
On 1 May 2008, 120 senior business leaders from across the North West will come together at New Century House in Manchester to discuss measures taken to reduce carbon over the past 12 months, and commit to further action at HRH The Prince of Wales’s May Day Business Summit on Climate Change. The Prince of Wales and Prime Minister will address over 1550 business leaders at similar events across the UK via satellite link from a hub event in central London. Those not attending are encouraged to tune in to a live webcast of the event www.maydaynetwork.com.
Air Racing comes to Blackpool
29 April 2008
Iconic tourist destination Blackpool announced will hold an Aero GP air race grand prix on 28-29th June 2008 as part of National Veterans Day.
Three tourism 'Oscars' for Northwest
24 April 2008
England’s top tourism businesses were named in a glittering ceremony in Liverpool last night, and England’s Northwest walked away with three Gold Awards, reflecting the continued success of the region’s tourism industry.
Support for material of the future
24 April 2008
A £76,834 Grant for Research and Development (GRAND) awarded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) could see Saddleworth company Glastex UK Ltd. develop an advanced industrial textile material, able to withstand fire and cut resistance in extreme applications.
NWDA give the green light on wind turbine
17 April 2008
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is making a commitment to renewable energy by officially launching its state-of-the-art Wind Turbine at Renaissance House in Warrington at the end of May.
£1.8m investment for Slavery Museum
15 April 2008
The NWDA is pleased to announce an investment of £1.8 million in the International Slavery Museum, which will enable National Museums Liverpool to take forward its ambitious plans for the development of the attraction.
Cheshire’s Year of Gardens officially unveiled
15 April 2008
Stunning displays and a host of VIPs were among the highlights of celebrations to mark the official launch of Cheshire’s Year of Gardens 08, a long-term programme to develop Cheshire as the destination of choice for garden lovers world-wide.
Calling all picnic lovers
14 April 2008
Families are being urged to vote for the UK’s favourite picnic spot in this year’s Warburtons Picnic Awards.
Manchester Tourism Awards 2008
11 April 2008
The winners of the Manchester Tourism Awards 2008 were announced last night in a glittering ceremony at Manchester Central.
Food portal opens up new business opportunities
10 April 2008
Food and drink companies from across the region are set to benefit from a new, cutting edge e-business portal, ‘FoodPort’, launched tomorrow (April 10, 2008), by Food Northwest.
£750K for RHS Tatton
10 April 2008
The NWDA is pleased to announce an investment of £750,000 in the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park, which will give a further boost to what is already the Northwest’s biggest horticultural event.
£4.6m Chethams School of Music
10 April 2008
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is pleased to announce an investment of £4.6 million in the world-famous Chetham’s School of Music in Manchester, which will enable it to develop as a world-class visitor attraction.
£1.7m for Everyman and Playhouse
09 April 2008
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is pleased to announce an investment of £1.7 million in the Everyman and Playhouse, which will enable the Liverpool and Merseyside Theatres Trust to take forward its ambitious plans for the development of the venues.
Lakes Alive season launched
09 April 2008
The hills and streets of the Lake District will come alive to the sights and sounds of a new season of arts events in 2008.
Sir Philip Craven MBE visits Manchester
09 April 2008
The Northwest Steering Group for the 2012 Games is pleased to welcome Sir Philip Craven MBE, London 2012 Board Member and President of the International Paralympic Committee, to Manchester on Wednesday, April 9th.
Artistic hub opens for business
08 April 2008
A pioneering project, which will provide an entrepreneurial platform for gifted artisans, has been officially launched at Burton Manor College.
DCMS support for Blackpool welcomed
04 April 2008
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) welcomed the announcement today by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) that will see £45 million invested in the UK’s seaside resorts over the next three years.
Daresbury St Modwen investment
02 April 2008
The Minister for Science and Innovation, Ian Pearson, will today visit the Daresbury Science & Innovation Campus to announce an agreement that will realise the development of the crucial next phase of the Campus.
A new development across nine acres of land will deliver more than £25m of investment with the potential for up to 200,000 sq ft (18.500m2) of new accommodation and up to 1200 jobs.
Tourism chiefs tip Wastwater
01 April 2008
Cumbria’s west coast is set to become a major hit for overseas visitors this year due to the success of Britain’s Favourite View.
SNR Response
31 March 2008
The consultation paper outlines how the Government plans to implement the proposals of last year’s Sub-National Review of Economic Development and Regeneration, which includes a strengthened role for England’s business-led RDAs and lead responsibility for producing a regional strategy for sustainable economic growth in each region.
Chinese Minister visits England’s Northwest
28 March 2008
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and regional partners this week hosted a visit from Jiang Fan, Minister Counsellor, Economic and Commercial Office, Embassy of People’s Republic of China, to promote stronger investment links with China.
The Minister visited a number of key companies and projects in the region to raise awareness of inward investment and trade opportunities in the Northwest and explore the potential for exploiting closer links with China. The tour included mediacity:uk, where the Agency and Peel Holdings highlighted the progress that has been made on the development to create a world class media city at Salford Quays.
Wigan Council then presented on plans for a £125 million textile manufacturing hub in Wigan which will create the largest clothing and textile industry centre in Europe. The project, which will be home to a large number of Chinese companies trading with the UK and Europe, is expected to create at least 1,000 jobs and a further 3,000 in spin off industries.
Response to skills white paper
19 March 2008
Response to the Government White Paper 'Raising Expectations' (released on 17/03/08), which will see the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) dissolved in 2010 and replaced by two new agencies
Northwest Ethnic Minority Business Forum regional EMB Awards winners announced
14 March 2008
he Ethnic Minority Business Forum North West (EMBF NW) established by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) staged the first Northwest Ethnic Minority Business Awards last night, recognising and rewarding the huge contribution that BME individuals and businesses make to the regional economy.
National Enterprise Strategy - NWDA response
12 March 2008
Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the NWDA, said: “We welcome the Government’s strategy framework on enterprise. Our own Enterprise Strategy for the Northwest will now follow in just a few weeks time. The Northwest strategy has been developed in parallel with the national framework and aims to stimulate a culture of enterprise and a strong and growing source of entrepreneurs, and maximise the competitiveness of existing businesses and start-ups in the Northwest.”
NW leads coach tourism drive
12 March 2008
England’s Northwest is home to more coach friendly destinations than any other English region, according to the Confederation of Passenger Transport UK (CPT), which awards the Coach Friendly title.
Museum secures £9 million funding
11 March 2008
The People’s History Museum is pleased to announce that it has been awarded funding of over £9 million for its multi million pound redevelopment project.
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has agreed to a stage 2 pass for the project, providing a grant of £7.18 million, which has been matched funded by a £2 million grant from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).
England’s Northwest leads shortlist for English Tourism ‘Oscars’
07 March 2008
England’s Northwest leads shortlist for English Tourism ‘Oscars’
Nine tourism businesses from across England’s Northwest have been shortlisted in the Enjoy England Awards for Excellence 2008. Organised by VisitBritain and sponsored by The Caravan Club, the Awards will be held at Liverpool’s St George’s Hall on 23rd April. It will be the first time that the Awards have been held outside London.
Northwest Ethnic Minority Business Forum launches regional EMB Awards
07 March 2008
The Ethnic Minority Business Forum North West (EMBF NW) set up by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) will stage the first Northwest Ethnic Minority Business Awards this month recognising and rewarding the huge contribution that BME individuals and businesses make to the regional economy.
Unite gives Transport House new lease of life
05 March 2008
Transport House, the former Transport and General Workers’ Union (TGWU) building on Commutation Row in Liverpool city centre is to be given a major refurbishment by its new owner Unite the Union.
Tourism debate starts next week
05 March 2008
A key debate about tourism will take place next week – headed by Cumbria Tourism chairman and broadcaster Eric Robson.
Pendle Vision Board Launch
26 February 2008
Key employers and agencies from the private sector have come together to ensure Pendle has a bright future.
Rejoining the walls in Castle Drive
25 February 2008
Works as part of the Chester Renaissance public realm programme get underway this week to ‘rejoin’ the section of the City Walls in Castle Drive.
China Town
21 February 2008
Wigan is set to become a major European centre for trade with China after ambitious plans for a £125 million textile manufacturing hub were unveiled this week.
The council’s ruling cabinet will on Thursday (21 February) formally agree to sell a 55 acre site at Westwood Park, just a mile south of the town centre, for a development which is says will put the town on the international business map.
Technomot engine funding
21 February 2008
Warrington firm Technomot has just won an award from the Northwest Regional Development Agency to develop a Diesel engine for the low-carbon age. The project has sprung from global concern over the environmental impact of engine emissions.
2012 VeloDream final
19 February 2008
Two schools from the North West region have reached the final of the London 2012 ‘VeloDream’ competition – a UK schools competition launched by the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) for pupils to design their own dream Olympic cycling venues of the future.
Winckley Square to make a splash
18 February 2008
A fountain – which doubles up as a stage when dry – is proposed as the centrepiece of a redeveloped Winckley Square in Preston.
£521m Northwest ERDF Programme Underway
15 February 2008
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) - as the new administrator of the Northwest European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) – with the support of Government Office North West (GONW), officially launched the Northwest ERDF Programme 2007-13 today (Friday 15th February) at a ceremony in St George’s Hall in Liverpool.
Changes made to regeneration plans
14 February 2008
Changes have been made to New East Manchester's regeneration plans for the next decade following a major consultation exercise that involved 30,000 households in east Manchester.
Pioneering planning model recognised at top awards
13 February 2008
A pioneering 3D model commissioned by urban regeneration company, New East Manchester and funded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) was commended at the RTPI (Royal Town Planning Institute) Awards 2007.
StructureVision looks to access the Nuclear market from Daresbury
29 January 2008
StructureVision Ltd has been awarded a £350,000 Grant for Research and Development (GRAND) from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) to develop a digital modelling tool for use in the nuclear industry. With the development of the tool, StructureVision will deliver a technological breakthrough that will contribute significantly to the deployment of a world class nuclear clean up programme.
Apprenticeships response
28 January 2008
This important publication describes how the Government and employers across Britain can work together to unlock the country’s talent and help build a workforce that has the world class skills which Britain needs in this increasingly competitive global economy.
NWDA Chief Executive to Visit Allerdale
23 January 2008
Steven Broomhead, the chief executive of the NWDA, is going to Allerdale on 30th January to look at how local agencies are tackling regeneration.
European Badminton Championships
16 January 2008
BADMINTON England are celebrating another major triumph after BADMINTON Europe awarded Liverpool the European Mixed Team Championships for 2009 and Manchester the European Individual Championships for 2010.
New Culture Campaign Launched
14 January 2008
A new campaign launches today to further encourage the one in five of us who incorporate cultural experiences into our holidays in England. Culture08 showcases the wealth of cultural attractions, destinations, events and experiences that England can provide and aims to inspire Britons and make them feel a part of the celebrations.
Daresbury Campus: An international centre of scientific expertise
11 January 2008
The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and Partners across the Northwest including Halton Borough Council and Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) welcome the Government’s recent commitment to the Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus.
100m GDP 08 celebrations
09 January 2008
A unique programme of events across the Northwest to celebrate ’08 is set to bring in an additional £50 million in visitor spend to the Northwest economy, in addition to the £50 million expected to go directly to Merseyside over the coming year from 1.7 million additional visitors.
Wilderness Refined
09 January 2008
Cumbria Tourism is bidding to set a new world record by creating the world’s highest luxury bath 2,000ft up a mountain.
North West young people urged - be the First to Go
02 January 2008
John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, is urging young people from the Northwest who have no family experience of university - or are not considering higher education - to think again.