Government Hedges Bets With Manchester Sports City Development

Manchester has been given £10m in funding by English Partnerships for the delivery of Sportcity, which will be the largest concentration of sports venues in Europe. The announcements follow the publication of a review which effectivley spelt the end of any supercasino led generation in the North West and were aimed at softening the blow of the Casiono loss.

The development is expected to create 1600 jobs as part of East Manchester’s regeneration drive. The government also said it would extend the New East Manchester Urban Regeneration Company until 2014 and the body would invite proposals for the site.

The ministerial group will be chaired by Hazel Blears with representatives from Manchester City Council and a cross-section of government department.It will support city leaders when on its long-term projects, such as an application for the Transport Innovation Fund to increase public transport capacity, a transport Hub to provide more rail links and three skills academies.

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said: “This £10m boost for Sportcity will unlock huge sporting potential in East Manchester and attract visitors from across the UK, and beyond. It’s another piece of the jigsaw in Manchester’s regeneration success story, and can help to create new jobs...The new ministerial group will also ensure that success continues well into the future by giving the government’s support to city leaders as they drive forward new jobs, more skills and better transport for our communities.”