21 May 2010

Funding boost for new Jodrell Bank ‘live science’ centre

• £3.1m funding announced by NWDA & ERDF
• Major redevelopment project gets the go-ahead from planners

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and the Northwest European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) today confirmed funding of £3.1 million to kick-start the development of a new Science Discovery Centre at Manchester’s famous Jodrell Bank Observatory.

The announcement coincides with confirmation that the exciting redevelopment project has been granted planning permission by Cheshire East Council, meaning that work could start on site as soon as next month.  

An investment of £2.1 million will be made by the NWDA and £1 million by ERDF in the Northwest. An additional £600,000 of funding will come from The University of Manchester; the iconic telescope is part of the University’s School of Physics and Astronomy.

The new-look centre is predicted to attract thousands of extra visitors to the Observatory every year and will help to generate an additional £26 million for the regional economy over the next decade.

The project includes a Planet Pavilion entrance building with an orientation centre and stylish glass-walled café with spectacular views of the Lovell telescope, a Space Pavilion for exhibitions and events as well as an education space and landscaping of the Arboretum to create a new Galaxy Maze and a Space Garden. It aims to inspire budding young scientists and showcase cutting-edge research ‘as it happens’.

The Planet Pavilion is set to open by the end of the year and all work will be completed by summer 2011.

Steven Broomhead, Chief Executive of the NWDA, said: “Jodrell Bank is already an icon in the Northwest and a visitor attraction in its own right, but it has the potential to attract many more national and international visitors to the region. This investment will help create a richer, more inspiring visitor experience which is more fitting to this beacon of science and research.”

Dr Teresa Anderson, Director of the Jodrell Bank Visitor Centre Project, said: “This is a really important milestone for us and we're absolutely delighted that we will be able to take our project forward this year in partnership with the NWDA.

“Alongside redeveloping our facilities we will be taking the opportunity to revitalise our visitor programme, and look forward to welcoming lots of new people to Jodrell Bank in the future.”

Cheshire East Councillor, Jamie Macrae, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Prosperity said: “May I offer my congratulations to everyone at Jodrell Bank for securing this funding. It remains an important landmark not only for Cheshire East but for the UK.

“Now that planning permission has been granted, I am sure the Discovery Centre will boost Jodrell Bank’s place as a cornerstone of scientific endeavour and a vital establishment for research and education.”

The development has strong support from Sir Bernard Lovell, founder of the Jodrell Bank Observatory and creator of the Lovell Telescope, who lives nearby.

Sir Bernard Lovell said: “As the founder of the Jodrell Bank Observatory, I am delighted to hear that the development of new visitor facilities will go ahead.

“The very modern design that has been developed reflects the fact that the work of Jodrell Bank is at the forefront of research into astrophysics. The new facilities will pass on the spark of inspiration to the school pupils who are the scientists of the future. I look forward to this development going ahead very soon.”

Current visitor facilities will be kept open as much as possible as the development goes ahead – with a fully booked schools programme continuing in the existing marquee, which will also host a number of events for the public and ‘Friends’ of Jodrell Bank.

Astronomers will continue to carry out observations and world-class science while the redevelopment work takes place.

-ENDS-

Notes to editors

Anyone wanting to keep up to date with progress and latest developments can visit the Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre website at www.jb.man.ac.uk/visitorcentre

Steven Broomhead and Dr Teresa Anderson are available for comment by arrangement.

Illustrations of the new development are available on request.

For further information please contact Helen Batte, Tourism Press Officer on 01925 400235 or 07764 239856 or Helen.Batte@nwda.co.uk

For urgent out of hours press enquiries please call 01925 400259.

For further information and to view all press releases visit us at www.nwda.co.uk/press  

European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
Between 2007 and 2013 the Northwest of England will receive a total of £521million (dependent on exchange rate) from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Managed by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), this funding will enhance the competitiveness of the region’s economy by supporting growth in employment and enterprise.

Key targets for the NWOP include:

• Creating 26,700 net additional jobs by 2015
• Generating £1.17bn additional annual GVA by 2015
• Supporting a 25% reduction in addition CO2 emissions generated by the ERDF Programme.

The Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) works to deliver economic success in England’s Northwest by building the competitiveness of its businesses, people and places. Utilising our technical expertise and strategic influence, we help the region’s 250,000+ businesses to develop and grow, as well as supporting international trade and encouraging inward investment.