Date: Fri 5th November, 2010
Venue: PZ Cussons Head Office, Manchester Business Park,, 3500 Aviator Way, Manchester, M22 5TG
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A 'Shawe thing.
Manchester Airport's success continues, but for many Wythenshawe still remains a byword for deprivation. Insider's latest breakfast event looked at where the efforts to regenerate and change perceptions of Wythenshawe are working.
Is Wythenshawe the next big area of opportunity for the Manchester city region? With the burgeoning airport, a concerted regeneration push from the city council and new educational facilities, it could just be – that was the conclusion reached by the panel assembled for Insider's latest breakfast event, held at PZ Cussons’ new headquarters on Manchester Business Park.
Felicity Goodey, chairman of University Hospital South Manchester, said: "Skills are the most important thing. The world has changed dramatically and where we have to excel is in added value manufacturing – really high-grade stuff. We have great companies here like Intercytex, while a deal has just been agreed with a world-leading US multinational. These are the companies I am certain we can begin to attract. What are the assets? We have a lot of land, intellectual property and the Airport City project coming up – there’s an exciting future for Wythenshawe."
Goodey added: "Although public spending is being cut, there is money there for projects that can demonstrate long-term growth. This city region has shown it can pump-prime well and provide return on investment."
Panellist Andy Wilson, regeneration manager at Manchester City Council, said: "The town centre has been an issue and hasn’t helped with perception problems. We’re working well with St Modwen to put that right. What retailers want to know, apart from price, is will the footfall be there, what is the residential mix – there’s a bigger picture there."
At the heart of improving the depth and quality of the labour pool is the Manchester College, which has a new £28.5m facility in Wythenshawe. Senior vice principal Marie Gilluley said: "What’s key to us is driving the sustainability side of things – Wythenshawe has the greenest hospital in the UK and our new college building is zero-carbon. This can be a real focus for Wythenshawe."
The point was raised that Wythenshawe still stands as an easy option for under-informed media commentary on deprivation. Wilson said in response: "I started out working on social housing in Wythenshawe ten years ago and the change since then is breathtaking. The focus has to be on what can make Wythenshawe attractive to businesses. In the long-term, the academies and the college will provide a skilled and motivated workforce, but we have to get the message across that change has taken place and still is taking place."
Wilson was supported by Elaine Birchall – managing director of PZ Cussons. She said: "First and foremost, what Wythenshawe has over other similarly-derided areas is aesthetic appeal – people are always surprised at how green it is. Really it’s getting that message out. Since moving here in April we’ve been keen to immerse ourselves in the community."
Many in the audience bore witness to the range of brand and network-building that is ongoing – the Manchester United Foundation spoke of its Wythenshawe Games, there's also the Wythenshawe's Got Talent programme and a host of business support activities by groups like Willow Housing Trust. Goodey said: "It takes time to change perceptions. What you can do is get local people to believe change is afoot because they really are the best ambassadors."
The event was sponsored by Goodman, PZ Cussons, the Manchester College and University Hospital South Manchester.
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