Archived Press Releases
August
July
World-class cyclists to race through South Lakeland
19 July 2011
On Monday 12 September The Tour of Britain 2011 will be heading to Kendal with Stage Two of the cycle race starting in the town centre. South Lakeland District Council is closely involved with the organisation of this world-class cycling spectacular and the North West stage will start at 10.30am from Abbot Hall Park, with team preparations and build up beginning from 8.30am. The second leg of the race to is likely to be a sprinters stage through the district to Blackpool.
Charles Allen visits Cumbria
14 July 2011
Charles Allen, CBE Chair of the London 2012 Nations and Regions Group and LOCOG Board Member, is visiting Cumbria today (14th July) to see how the county is preparing for the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.
Volunteers needed to help at Ironman
11 July 2011
Hundreds of volunteers are needed to help at the Ironman triathlon in Bolton on Sunday, July 31.
The race, which is supported by Bolton Council and the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), attracts competitors from all over the world, and more than 1,500 athletes are set to descend on the town.
June
Bridge Street developer appointed
30 June 2011
Multi-million pound plans to radically change the face of Warrington town centre took a step closer to reality recently with the appointment of an official development partner.
Funding boost for Blackburn street
24 June 2011
Public spaces in King William Street, Blackburn, will be transformed following a £570,000 grant from the Northwest European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
The Romans are here!
24 June 2011
Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery will celebrate the opening of its new Roman Frontier Gallery with a day of Roman activities throughout the Museum and Carlisle City Centre.
myParcelDelivery.com™ move up a gear with Business Angels investment deal
22 June 2011
The award-winning online parcel delivery website - myParcelDelivery.com™ has announced the completion of a six figure investment deal secured from entrepreneurial investor - Mark O’Brien, through the Northwest Regional Development Agency’s (NWDA) Business Angels investor event.
Mintfest 2011 unveils line-up of world’s brightest street stars
20 June 2011
The countdown to the Mintfest International Festival of Street Arts has officially begun with the announcement of a world-class line-up of around 150 outdoor entertainers who will fill the town of Kendal with an intoxicating mix of dance, comedy, music, drama and magic.
Taste of success for region's top fine foods
13 June 2011
THE winners of the Fine Food Awards 2011, which celebrate the best fine foods in the Northwest have been announced by TV chef Nigel Haworth, crowning The Great North Pie Company in Stockport, as awards’ ‘Supreme Champion’.
ERDF Environment sector event
08 June 2011
The ERDF Northwest team is holding an Environment Sector event on the morning of Tuesday 21 June at the brand new Brockholes Visitor Centre and Nature Reserve near Preston.
Green light at Combermere Abbey
07 June 2011
Combermere Abbey has a bright future ahead, with the development of three new self-catering cottages to add to their existing self catering accommodation, and a Green Tourism ‘Gold’ Award to join their many accolades, acknowledging the estate’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and eco-tourism.
Remembering the dancing years
07 June 2011
The Winter Gardens holds a special place in the hearts and minds of many local people - especially for those who met their life long partners at the weekly dances and events held at the complex.
May
Winter Gardens get its own top notch grill
27 May 2011
Blackpool Council is thrilled to announce the opening of a new Heathcote’s Outside restaurant within the Blackpool Winter Gardens, offering another exciting development in the restoration of the Victorian building.
Installation of new footbridge over Ashton Canal
19 May 2011
Forming part of a series of public realm improvements, which surround the building of the new National Indoor BMX Arena, a new pedestrian bridge is today being installed to cross the Ashton Canal, improving accessibility to the facility for both residents and athletes.
Cumbria takes four of England’s top tourism awards
06 May 2011
Cumbria Tourism Managing Director Ian Stephens has praised the area’s tourism industry as the Best in England after county businesses took three golds and a silver in the country’s foremost tourism awards.
Giant bird prints found in Liverpool City Centre
06 May 2011
Mysterious giant bird prints appeared in the Liverpool docks area this weekend. People in the area were turning heads in amazement as they came across the giant bird prints whilst walking in Liverpool One and along the docks.
GOLD & SILVER FOR LANCASHIRE AT NATIONAL AWARDS
06 May 2011
Lancashire and Blackpool Tourist Board (LBTB) is celebrating the success of Lancashire winners and LBTB Members at the Enjoy England Awards for Excellence, which took place on Friday 15 April 2011 at The Great Hall, The University of Birmingham. These prestigious awards, currently in their 22nd year, celebrate the very best the country has to offer.
Lowther Castle and Gardens Opens on Good Friday 22 April 2011
06 May 2011
The Gardens at Lowther Castle will open to the public on Good Friday 22 April 2011 having lain abandoned for 70 years. The opening marks the long-awaited start of the project to create a major visitor attraction for Cumbria and the North West. Opening hours are 10.00am to 5.00pm every day; with admittance price £5.00 for adults.
Time for topping out at Chets
06 May 2011
Chetham’s School of Music has reached a significant milestone in the development of its £36million New School Building, the completion of the highest point of the building, and it has marked the occasion with a traditional “topping out” ceremony.
TMP Tourism Awards 2011 Shortlist Announced
06 May 2011
Quality and excellence across Liverpool City Region’s Visitor Economy has been recognised in the much anticipated shortlist for the TMP Tourism Awards 2011, announced today (Wednesday, 27th April, 2011).
April
ART IN REVOLUTION: LIVERPOOL 1911
07 April 2011
City of Radicals exhibition features work by van Gogh, Matisse, Gauguin and Signac.
The relationship between a 100-year-old ground-breaking art exhibition and a city’s radicalism is the focus for a new exhibition at the Walker Art Gallery from 24 June to 25 September 2011.
Northwest Business Angels backs Turbo Drinks
05 April 2011
Turbo Drinks Company Limited, based in Leeds and Cumbria, has received £200,000 finance from three Business Angels, bringing with them a wealth of business and financial experience.
Everyman and Playhouse
04 April 2011
The Everyman and Playhouse theatre in Liverpool has been granted £5.9 million in European Regional Development Funding (ERDF) to create a premier cultural venue.
March
Women’s enterprise centre hosts top Euro visit
31 March 2011
Leading female enterprise agency The Women’s Organisation showcased its new, state-of-the-art £5 million centre when it welcomed a high-profile visit from Agnes Lindemans from the European Commission.
Ms Lindemans, Head of Unit for Regional Operations in the UK and Ireland, toured The Women’s International Centre for Economic Development (WICED) in Liverpool along with a delegation from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).
Culture right on track
24 March 2011
Giant artworks have gone up on platforms at Liverpool Lime Street and locations across the city to highlight Liverpool’s cultural gems.
BMX star Shanaze Reade ‘tops out’
21 March 2011
Multiple BMX World Champion, Shanaze Reade joined local dignitaries for a ‘topping out’ ceremony as work nears completion of the National Indoor BMX Arena in East Manchester which will be the UK’s first purpose built covered BMX track with an Olympic size ramp.
2011 Energy Innovation Awards
10 March 2011
Organisers are searching for the brightest and best talent within the low carbon environmental goods and services sector.
The search is on to find the UK’s most innovative energy products and services as the 2011 Energy Innovation Awards officially opens for entries.
February
UKs first zero-energy cost Business Park
28 February 2011
he UK’s first zero-energy cost business park will be built in Wigan following investment from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
The £2.7million business park, to be built at Swan Lane in Hindley Green Industrial Estate, will provide nine business units where tenants will not have to pay any gas, electricity or water costs thanks to the cutting edge technologies which will be installed.
ERDF, which is managed by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), has committed £1.3million to the project which will create around 65 jobs in Wigan.
England’s Northwest seeks ‘perfect 10’ at national tourism awards
22 February 2011
Ten tourism businesses from England’s Northwest have been shortlisted for the annual Enjoy England Awards for Excellence. Organised annually by Visit England, the awards recognise the best of the country’s tourism businesses and professionals.
New scheme brings greener transport to Rochdale
17 February 2011
Rochdale will become home to the first transport interchange in Europe to run partly on hydro-electric power, thanks to an innovative scheme now underway to harness the power of the River Roch.
Launch of British Masters 2011
01 February 2011
This July, some of the country’s most talented riders will be invited to compete for a prize fund of almost £100,000 at The British Masters, taking place at South View Equestrian Centre, Wettenhall (near Winsford) in Cheshire.
January
Blackpool Tower plans on show
28 January 2011
Blackpool residents are being given a chance to see exciting plans for the transformation of Blackpool Tower and to let the Council and Merlin Entertainments know what they think.
‘Call for Energy Innovators 2011’ is launched
28 January 2011
Today sees the return of the popular ‘Call for Energy Innovators’ initiative which invites inventors to come forward with their ideas for making the power networks more efficient.
Park restoration sees famous avenue re-planted
25 January 2011
The iconic avenue of trees on Riverside Walk in Miller Park, Preston; which had to be removed due to serious disease in 2010, is to be replaced with a new avenue of disease resistant Elm trees.
Liverpool and the World
19 January 2011
Almost £500,000 in European Regional Development Funding (ERDF) is going towards three major exhibitions across National Museums Liverpool venues. These exhibitions will help to encourage regional, national and international visitors to the region.
Industry Leaders Commit to Offshore Wind Supply Chain Event
13 January 2011
The North West and North Wales Offshore Wind Supply Chain Event on Tuesday 8 February 2011 will offer workshops, seminars and exhibition viewing to 500 delegates. The offshore wind industry is showing significant growth with substantial business opportunities for suppliers across the UK and internationally. Engaging local supply chains will be critical in enabling the UK to deliver ambitious renewable energy targets. This event supported by The Crown Estate and the government is part of that engagement process and one of a national series of events.
Arts worth millions to local economy
13 January 2011
Lancaster district’s arts sector is taking centre stage in the local economy, boosting it by £50 million annually, a new report reveals.