Hungary to learn from Wirral regeneration projects » Local Government » 24dash.com

Wirral Council today played host to a Hungarian study group visiting the North West as part of an earlier twinning agreement between the UK and Hungarian Governments. 

Their visit focused on how Wirral has benefited from regeneration and particularly investment through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) since 1994 when Merseyside was first granted Objective 1 status.  This included visits to a number of key projects in the borough including Spaceport, New Brighton, Wirral Waters and Port Sunlight Vision.

Adjacent to Seacombe Ferry, Spaceport opened in 2005 and has quickly become one of the region’s premier tourist attractions. 

The group also visited New Brighton where they met the project manager and theatre manager for the new Floral Pavilion which is due to re-open in the autumn as part of the first phase of Neptune Developments’ extensive regeneration programme for the town.

The tour group was particularly impressed with Peel Holdings’ plans for the £4.5 billion Wirral Waters site in Birkenhead and Wallasey (pictured) before finishing at Port Sunlight Vision where they were given a tour of the museum, offering a glimpse into the social history of Port Sunlight Village during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. 

The Hungarian delegation included senior officials from the Ministry of Environment and Water and the National Development Agency. 

In addition, their tour also incorporated a meeting with civil servants from the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory reform (formerly DTI) in Whitehall and a visit to the Government Office North West’s Liverpool office. 

During their stay in Liverpool the delegation were given a tour of the Liverpool Echo Arena and BT Convention Centre, culminating in a reception with the Hungarian Consul to Liverpool, prior to attending a performance of The Rat Pack – Live from Las Vegas.