"Fifteen years from now, Morecambe will be internationally famous"

Friday, 27 May 2022 08:31

By Greg Lambert @greglam72

Sir Tim Smit from Eden Project International speaking to Professor Vanessa Toulmin on stage at Morecambe Winter Gardens

The co-founder of the Eden Project has told an audience at the Winter Gardens that the town will be "buzzing" in 15 years' time.

Sir Tim Smit KBE explained his vision for the future of Morecambe should plans for the Eden Project North go ahead, at a public lecture at the 125-year-old theatre on Thursday night.

Sir Tim, executive vice-chair and co-founder of the Eden Project in Cornwall, said he believed Morecambe would be "internationally famous" in 15 years' time.

"It's not just Eden but the Eden effect is such that I know a lot of people will come to Morecambe," said Sir Tim.

"We also need to protect the businesses in Morecambe so they don't get overrun.

"Fifteen years from now, Morecambe will be internationally famous.

"It's going to become a story of change, a story of the people in Morecambe taking the future in their own hands.

"Cornwall stopped being a place that you retire to but a place you came to, to make a career.

"There are an enormous amount of youngsters here in Morecambe and I'd like to think that they think their future is not in leaving to go to London or Manchester or Leeds or Sheffield.

"In 15 years' time you will not recognise the sense of a past that's been sad, I think you will see a place that's buzzing. Buzzing."

Sir Tim was speaking during an on-stage Q&A with Professor Vanessa Toulmin, chair of the Winter Gardens Preservation Trust.

He was also asked about the 'hurdles' that still needed to be overcome to make the Eden Project North a reality.

"We have put in a bid to government for £50m which has to be lodged with all the details by the first week in July," he said.

"We will hear the feedback in the early autumn. If it's negative feedback I would be amazed.

"I can't think of a better project that will deliver so much wider abundant growth and such a symbol of the new world.

"We have match funders in the private sphere waiting.

"But we're pretty confident.

"Put it this way, I plan on visiting a lot!"

Sir Tim delivered a lecture on 'The Green Enlightenment', talking about how an environmental revolution is taking place and its impact in bringing positive change in the world.

The event, part of the Lancaster University Public Lecture Series, was introduced by Professor Andy Schofield, vice-chancellor of Lancaster University who are partners in the Eden Project North.

Sir Tim praised the university, saying: "They've got a very humane approach to the world and they really want to make a contribution here in Morecambe.

"I'm too old to work with people that I don't like, and they were really nice and really welcoming."

He stressed the importance of Eden's impact on the future education of the youth of Morecambe.

The Morecambe Bay Curriculum, a unique ‘place-based’ green curriculum - sitting alongside the national curriculum - for children and young people to learn how to look after themselves, their area and their planet, has been created by Eden alongside Lancaster University and Lancaster and Morecambe College, working in partnership with early years settings, local schools and colleges.

Sir Tim said Morecambe would become "a paradise of education".

An audience watched Thursday night's free-to-attend lecture inside the Winter Gardens, with many more observing online.

Among those in attendance at the theatre were David Harland, chief executive of Eden Project International, David Morris, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, Caroline Jackson, leader of Lancaster City Council, Cary Matthews, chairman of Morecambe Town Council, Mark Davies, chief executive of Lancaster City Council, and Wes Johnson, principal at Lancaster and Morecambe College, as well as councillors, representatives of Eden, local businesses and Morecambe BID (Business Improvement District), and other members of the public.

The Eden Project North (artist's impression pictured above) is a planned mixed-use complex on the central promenade, housed in four shell-like domes.

It will combine indoor and outdoor attractions, themed around Morecambe Bay, and will include plants, art and interactive exhibits, a concert area for live music events, three cafe/restaurants and a visitor centre.

The scheme was given planning permission by Lancaster City Council on January 31.

Eden already runs a highly-successful natural world-themed attraction near St Austell in Cornwall.

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