Issue Two January 2011 erdfnw.co.uk

bThe magazine for the European regionalo developmenst fund in england’st northwest

Sharp Project is One-of-a-Kind Digital Media Hub As the Sharp Project moves into its third and final phase, ’s digital and creative sector thrives.

A Review in Pictures: Liverpool Biennial 2010 This year’s Liverpool Biennial proved once again to be one the UK’s leading public art exhibitions.

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02–03 04–05 06–07 EU funding is helping to unlock Foreword News The Sharp Project David Malpass, Director of the ERDF Latest news on the progress and As the Sharp Project moves into its the Northwest’s potential Programme in the Northwest reflects successes of ERDF projects. third and final phase, Manchester’s on £400 million of ERDF investments. digital and creative sector thrives.

Key projects approved include: • Chester Innovation Economy Centre (£2.9m ERDF) • Higher Education Enterprise Champions (£585,000 ERDF) • Media Enterprise Centre @ MediaCityUK (£4.2m ERDF) • Social Enterprise Networking & Collaboration (£323,000) 08–09 10–13 • Unite with Business (£3.9m ERDF) A Review in Pictures: Shining Stars Get in touch • Waterfront Business Park Barrow Access Road (£4.9m ERDF) • Women's International Centre for Economic Development (£2.4m ERDF) Liverpool Biennial 2010 A look at some of the companies To find out more about the ERDF in who have benefited from ERDF the Northwest visit: This year’s Liverpool Biennial proved funded projects. once again to be one of the UK’s leading erdfnw.co.uk public art exhibitions. European Programme Executive, Managed by Northwest Regional Development Agency, Renaissance House, Centre Park, Warrington, WA1 1QN Tel: +44 (0) 1925 400 100 Email: [email protected]

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Since our last edition of Boost the ERDF team has been taking the opportunity to promote the difference European funding is making to the Northwest.

e recently held our European Showcase event, which provided a great opportunity to W demonstrate how European funding continues to be a vital source of investment, boosting economic development across the region. Through a combination of presentations and site visits, the event showcased a selection of the varied and valuable projects, which would not have happened without European funding. In September, we celebrated two years of ERDF funding since the first ERDF-funded project, improvements around Lime Street Gateway, was announced. Since then, almost £400 million of ERDF funding has been provided to 130 projects or programmes across the Northwest. Our venture and loan fund – The North West Fund – is also open for business. The £185 million fund is the largest public fund of its kind in the UK and will support Welcome small and medium-sized enterprises to start-up and grow. Find out more at thenorthwestfund.co.uk It has recently been confirmed that from 1 July 2011 ERDF Programmes will be managed by CLG (The Department for to Boost Communities and Local Government). My team and are working tirelessly to ensure a smooth transition from our current home at the NWDA and I will keep you updated on developments with this going forward. This issue of Boost truly demonstrates the hugely positive impact ERDF is having in the Northwest. I hope you enjoy reading about some of our great projects and the companies they have supported.

David Malpass Director of European Programme, Northwest Regional Development Agency

£4 0 million ERDF funding invested in 130 programmes and projects across the Northwest. Photography: Tony West

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amilies in Greater Manchester have won £10 million for a £10 million boost to help homes go green F and save money. News The multi-million pound investment will provide low families to go carbon improvements, including solar energy, wood chip fuel and thermal cladding to almost 3,000 homes in five social housing projects. green and save The insulation and biomass heating will slash Jodrell Bank householders’ bills by over £20 million, according to energy saving experts. It will support more than 122 money: Low jobs in the low carbon industry, and will cut carbon Discovery Centre — emissions by 100,000 tonnes over the lifetime of carbon facelift the project. £5 million in ERDF is being matched by investment from Ground Breaking for 3,000 homes utility companies and other private sector investors. cientists, Builders and Architects gathered at Jodrell Bank in September 2010 to S celebrate the beginning of construction of a new ‘Live Science’ Discovery Centre at the site. The new Centre, set to attract thousands of extra visitors to the Observatory every year, includes a new entrance building – the Planet Pavilion – and a new Space Pavilion for exhibitions and events. The project also includes a stylish glass-walled café with spectacular views of the iconic Lovell telescope, an education space and landscaping of the Arboretum to create a new Galaxy Maze. The project’s main aim is to inspire young scientists and connect them to cutting-edge research ‘as it happens’. The new Centre, which is set to launch in summer 2011, has received a £1 million investment from the ERDF.

50:50 Joint Venture between Centric Crown Business Property Group and Barnfield Construction A has acquired 18 acres of land in Rochdale, Greater Manchester to develop a 260,000 sq ft Awards success Park to generate business park. The development, which received £3.2 million in ERDF, is expected to bring in excess of 350 jobs to the area. for Lime Street he ERDF-funded upgrade to Liverpool Lime hundreds of jobs The land, positioned next to the M62, was acquired Street Station has been rewarded at the from Fortis Bank and already has planning permission T National Rail Awards 2010 with the station for 90,000 sq ft of offices and 170,000 sq ft of being named Overall Station of the Year. The station for Rochdale industrial space. also won the Large Station of the Year award. The acquisition was completed at the end of August Merseytravel worked with partners Virgin, Northern 2010 and construction has already commenced on Rail and Network Rail on the upgrade which has seen the first phase of the speculative development, the construction of a new, first class lounge and which will see 20,000 sq ft offices and 30,000 sq ft the refurbishment of the travel centre. The station’s of industrial space completed by summer 2011. entrance and exterior has also been improved.

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Project: Simply

Project: Simply is a full service digital marketing group with expertise in search engine optimisation (SEO), design and social media. Project: Simply was the first business to move into the Sharp building in May 2010. Christian, SEO Consultant, commented: “We chose the Sharp building because it offered excellent value for money and, unlike other locations, we were told that there wouldn’t be any direct competitors within the building, so we’re the only company doing what we do here. “This location was also recommended by a friend, and after visiting and seeing it for myself, I thought this would be a great location.” To date, operating out of the Sharp building has had significant benefits for the company. The business community aspect has helped Project: Simply to form some really useful relationships. This year they were encouraged to enter the EnterPrize Awards 2010 where they were shortlisted to the final five for the East Manchester Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award, something they wouldn’t The Sharp edge have been aware of. While there are other locations that the company could have chosen, the Sharp Building had more desirable benefits for Project: Simply. of Business Christian added: “The people running Sharp have been really helpful and I’m not sure that we would have received the same level of support anywhere else. This is also a really great building to bring clients to. We provide potential clients with a tour of the building and they’re wowed by every aspect. The former Sharp European Distribution Centre on Thorp Road “The final phase of the build is almost complete now and it’s been exciting for in East Manchester is in the final stages of a major refurbishment us to see businesses, within our sector, moving in. I look forward to forming new programme to create a digital content production complex, relationships with our neighbours in the future.” providing a range of sound stages, office and production space, combined with a world-class infrastructure for digital companies.

he European Regional so being able to flex up and down converted shipping containers that a gigabit of connectivity and can Projected GVA, when the project Although the build is not yet Development Fund (ERDF) without incurring penalties is vital. companies can rent on a month-by- connect tenants to the Internet via is complete and taking into account fully complete, approximately 30 T provided almost £3 million They send data files across the globe month basis; our transit provider. We manage the the impact on the supply chain, is businesses are already onsite. (Northwest Regional Development so they need big pipes and affordable operation of the bandwidth onsite estimated at £56 million. Once the Demand for business space has also contemporary office space that Agency (NWDA) also provided £3.3 connectivity to do this. so tenants do not have to go through project is completed, it is estimated been high. allows companies more privacy but million) in funding to overhaul and a traditional ISP. to create 550 jobs within the sector, access to the data backbone, which Katie added: “We have infrastructure equip the building, which was carried while providing a low-risk environment means they can move in more “The bandwidth available through companies, VFX, TV production out by New East Manchester, with for companies wishing to develop hardware and connect up easily Sharp is based on a different type companies, post production, CGI, a full total costs at £10.6 million. innovative, new products and services and quickly if needed; of delivery through our own fibre service music studio, set designers, and create new IP and patents. It will The Sharp Project now provides connection. This is important for IPTV businesses and a motion capture a further 27 spaces ranging from provide high levels of peer-to-peer a smart, sustainable environment companies that upload large files studio in place. The aspiration is for 500 sq ft to 1,300 sq ft (currently mentoring allowing companies to that allows the creative community via FTP to servers. the Sharp Project to become the UK 3 in development); develop organically. to flourish, make business choices centre for the digital animation and “We are next to a brand new sub- and take risks that traditional four stages for hire, suitable for visualisation industry, placed at the Businesses already on site station and we have secured six environments would prevent. the production of dramas, table top of a global network of digital megawatts of power to our site – It is designed for content creators animations, commercials and films; media production centres.” there is enough to power and distributors who want to “All our businesses are heavy users two floors of production offices Disneyland Paris, so plenty to experiment with models, markets of technology and need access to with green rooms, make-up rooms, support our businesses.” and technologies. servers and power. The space in Sharp wardrobes, free wi-fi and parking; and is designed to be flexible, from how ERDF funding has enabled this The infrastructure is based on three 55 you use it and what you use it for, an onsite mini-data centre digital and creative hub, which things: space; power; and connectivity. through to the lease terms and the offering rack space to tenants at now contributes towards national Estimated number of jobs Katie Gallagher, of the Sharp Project, way you decorate it.” a discounted rate. and regional policy objectives, commented: “Companies in this sector and complements developments created within the sector The development of the Sharp Project Katie continued: “We currently have tend to work on a contractual basis at MediaCityUK. has provided:

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01 02 03 A Review in Pictures: Liverpool Biennial 2010

This year’s Liverpool Biennial proved once again to be one of the UK’s leading public art exhibitions, consisting of six core programme strands. The focus of the festival, the 08 04 International exhibition, which took ‘Touched’ as its theme, “Liverpool Biennial is one of the most enabled selected international artists to showcase their important fixtures for both the work across the city centre. contemporary visual arts, and for the ERDF specifically supported the delivery of the artworks visitor economy, in Britain. The investment of partners such as ERDF within the International exhibition, enabling more artists has helped Liverpool Biennial achieve than ever before to present. its position as an outstanding global arts event, which produces significant economic impact for the Northwest.”

Paul Smith Executive Director of Liverpool Biennial

Clock-wise from top-left 01 For the first time, Liverpool 05 Part of ‘Re:Thinking Trade’, Lee Biennial commissioned an artist, Mingwei’s ‘The Mending Project’ 06 Carlos Amorales, for the visual invited visitors to have items repaired concept for marketing Touched. with brightly coloured threads. 07 02 Brazilian artist Laura Belém’s 06 A game of hide-and-seek at the ‘The Temple of a Thousand Bells’, an Bluecoat with Nicholas Hlobo’s ‘Ndize’. installation of 1,000 hand-blown glass 07 The Biennial animated Britain’s bells suspended from the ceiling of longest shopfront – the former Rapid 05 the Grade I listed Oratory. Hardware – with projects including 03 Héctor Zamora’s installation Meschac Gaba’s ‘Souvenir Palace’. ‘Synclastic / Anticlastic’, a shoal of 08 A special project within Touched, concrete manta rays suspended from Magdalena Abakanowicz presented the ceiling of the Mann Island plaza. ‘Embryology’, an installation from 04 Do Ho Suh’s ‘Bridging Home’, a 1978/80, previously unseen in the UK. scale model of the artist’s own Korean Photography: house from his childhood wedged 01–07 Tony West, 08 Thierry Bal between two buildings on Duke Street.

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Case study Business Support InfoLab21 Strategic Innovation £2 Shining Stars Support Programme (ISIS) million Company: 2BZ Media Developers Ltd A look at some of the companies who have Lancashire benefited from ERDF funded projects. 2BZ Media Developers Ltd deals with 3D virtual environments using avatar browser technology to create virtual user representation online. Surfing the Internet in 3D technology, this strives to close the gap between the physical and virtual space. The company has over 20 years worth of experience in virtual community software development, web, graphic design and marketing, and has recently developed a 3D urban magazine called Feed Your Head 3D, with two other virtual Case study Land and Property magazines covering education and sports using their technology in development. £3.8 In July 2010, 2BZ wanted to develop a system to allow the Manchester Central products on sale by shop owners to be viewed in true 3D 360° million view rotation. Their existing system was limited, and despite Redevelopment appearing in a 3D virtual environment, images of products appeared on the walls in 2D. Company: Manchester Central The company was referred to InfoLab21 by Business Link as they Greater Manchester did not possess the technical capability they needed in-house and could not find an appropriate technology provider. Dion Croom, As a significant element of the Oxford was demolished, creating 1,200 sq m of What’s more, the Labour Party was Managing Director, said: “We chose support from the ISIS Project Road Corridor infrastructure, responsible additional space and redeveloping 1,500 sq the first user of the new and improved rather than going to the ICT sector because we had difficulties for sustaining and growing opportunities m of existing space. facilities, where their Annual Party in finding an appropriate and competent provider. The wealth of to attract business tourism and support Conference was held. talented academic programmers and developers available via ISIS high growth sectors, Manchester Central The project had two main aims: seemed a logical fit for this exciting product development.” Convention Complex’s redevelopment was Manchester Central’s Chief Executive, to create and improve new conference Lesley Tomlinson, said: “ERDF investment Through ISIS, the appropriate transformational technology essential to ensure the area could attract and seminar facilities to be used more was researched thoroughly, reviewing heavyweight industry key conferences, raising the profile of was significant to ensuring the flexibly to accommodate a wider variety of redevelopment of Manchester Central solutions such as Maya and 3D Studio Max before settling on a the city and securing significant delegate events and conferences; and lighter Adobe Flash solution. InfoLab21 developed a tool which spend and economic benefits. could be completed. We now offer exceptional facilities that will ensure we allowed the company to produce Flash-based virtual 3D models to provide ancillary catering facilities The ERDF contributed almost £3.8 million can attract bigger events to Manchester. easily for inclusion into the online shop. In undertaking this work to service the wider variety of large-scale to the third phase of Manchester Central’s Without the support we received from it is anticipated that there will be an improvement in company events hosted. redevelopment programme in November ERDF, these results would have been very performance leading to a 25% GVA improvement over two years 2009, with total planned costs of the third Since the development works were difficult to achieve.” and six new jobs could potentially be created, as well as 10 jobs phase totalling £9 million. completed, ahead of schedule in safeguarded over the next year. September 2010, Manchester Central has The third phase of Manchester Central’s Since the programme, 2BZ has maintained an excellent seen a significant increase in its order For more information: redevelopment included improvements relationship with InfoLab21 and has also benefited from an book, in visitor numbers and is on track manchestercentral.co.uk to the conference and seminar facilities. Innovation Voucher and two student placements. Dion added: to generate project outputs in terms of An under-utilised part of the venue “We were surprised and delighted by the speed at which the economic impact. graduate completed the first profile. We were very pleased with the final product and have started the process of implementation into our core product range.” ISIS is the first project of its kind in the UK and is delivered under the ‘Transformational ICT’ product, part of the Solutions for Business portfolio, part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund.

For more information: infolab21.lancs.ac.uk/company/isis; 2bzmedia.co.uk

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Case study Business Support Case study Business Support High Growth Support International Capabilities £1.6 £4 million and Eco-Innovation million Transfer Programme Programmes Company: Hi-Tech Steel Services Company: Garage Door Restore Regional Lancashire The International Capabilities Transfer To date, the Programme has provided 250 Services support from the International Programme was designed to build upon intermediate assists and 85 intensive Capabilities Transfer Programme, which Garage Door Restore manufactures glass reinforced current programmes (funded by UKTI assists. From this number, the Programme provided necessary funding to enable the polyester (GRP) veneer to be fixed to worn or damaged and ERDF) to provide international trade will lead to around 255 SMEs entering company to conduct overseas market garage doors at a fraction of the price of replacing with support to Northwest companies. new overseas markets, which is predicted research into their chosen destination. a new GRP door. The company has recently developed a to help 235 businesses improve their This allowed the company to explore new range of garage doors, including a door that pre-heats The primary purpose of the Programme is performance and safeguard 210 jobs. the market’s potential, visit potential water, which can be used for bathing, washing machines and to generate more GVA within the region Turnover for these 235 SMEs is expected customers and assess the competitive dishwashers, using solar energy to increase the temperature through the provision of intermediate or to increase by around £40 million. market. The programme also helped them of the water. intensive assistance to SMEs. A number to strengthen their relationship with one Working under the ERDF-funded Eco-Innovation Programme, of these businesses are expected to enter One company to benefit from the existing overseas customer, as well Garage Door Restore is currently working with Lancaster overseas markets with the objective to Programme was Hi-Tech Steel Services, as assisting them to contact new University to develop a new product range. Damian Webb, of directly improve their performance. one the UK’s largest independent steel prospective customers. stockholders and processors of mild strip Garage Door Restore, said: “The Eco-Innovation Programme The specific objectives of the Programme mill steel. Operating from three service To date, Hi-Tech Steels has been able to Case study Business Support appealed to us because of the environmental benefits and inlcude: centres across the UK, Hi-Tech Steels strengthen relationships with potential the quality of partners involved. employs 100 people nationwide. overseas clients, providing quotations for raising awareness of international “Since working through the Programme, we have developed future work. £2 opportunities; With a customer base that extends across Innovation our veneers and changed the specification to significantly the UK and into Europe, the company is David Kennedy of Hi-Tech Steel Services million reduce the environmental impact. We now produce the only encouraging SMEs to start exporting; successfully operating across a diverse commented: “Without the support we Vouchers high security, fully insulated and maintenance free GRP panel helping existing exporters to move ino marketplace, from private industry and received from UKTI, I don’t think we would garage door. new markets; and independent enterprise through to original have been able to get the help we needed Company: Park Signalling Ltd “This has environmentally-friendly insulation 100% safe equipment manufacturers (OEM) and to target new customers overseas. We Cheshire for consumer and environment. This would have been enhancing the capabilities of individuals multinational companies. chose this Programme because we heard very difficult to achieve without the guidance we received within SMEs to enable them to improve of the benefits it could bring to us, and we Formed in 2000, Park Signalling designs and manufactures through the Eco-Innovation Programme and we are now their international trade performance. However, the UK is a shrinking market and are impressed with the results so far.” becoming more and more competitive. Hi- railway signalling equipment and provides consulting working on a new product ‘Heat Exchange’ and a ‘Heated The Programme consists of: Tech Steel Services realised that in order services to the rail industry. The company is introducing Garage Door’ with Lancaster University.” to sustain the company’s current position For more information: modern, digital communication technology into the rail international open day events; Under the High Growth Support Programme, the company and achieve further growth, they needed hitechsteels.com industry, using commercial, off-the-shelf ICT products to has had assistance recruiting licensed agents across the specialist advisory services; and to explore exporting. provide lower cost and improved functionality for railway signalling systems. UK in order to fulfil the nationwide demand for their After careful research, Hi-Tech Steel products. Working with an adviser from the Programme, an international capability building Services identified a European destination In December 2009, Park Signalling applied for an Innovation Garage Door Restore was able to put in place systems programme, which consists of 360 that was aligned to their internal Voucher to provide technical support to undertake research and was able to produce projections that have enabled networking events, CPD programmes capabilities and contacted UKTI for trade into the feasibility of a new product, Virtual Lineside the company to grow rapidly to 49 branches Nationwide and international market/sector support. UKTI offered Hi-Tech Steel Signalling, which would enable train drivers to dependably in a short space of time. Damian added: “The support that awareness seminars. view synthetic railway signals via a commercial off-the-shelf- we’ve received through the High Growth Programme was based (COTS) train cab display unit. excellent. We’ve had helpful guidance throughout and have now developed and evolved into a business that can fully Ben Clements, Research Director of Park Signalling, received commercialise innovative products.” expressions of interest from two universities wishing to work on the ERDF and NWDA funded Innovation Voucher project and decided to accept the offer from Dr Jason Ralph For more information: – a Reader in Electrical Engineering from the University garagedoorrestore.co.uk; highgrowthprogramme.co.uk; of Liverpool. ctechinnovation.com/innovation-management/eco-innovation The Innovation Voucher proved extremely useful for Park Signalling. The company obtained a positive outcome technology audit of the new product, providing increased independent assurance that the proposed Virtual Lineside Signalling system is feasible and safe. This has enabled the company to invest further time and money into product development as part of their long-term business strategy. Without the Innovation Voucher, Park Signalling would have had to find suitable experts to fund their work, which would have delayed the VLS project.

For more information: nwdabusinessfinance.co.uk/innovation-vouchers

12 erdfnw.co.uk/projects erdfnw.co.uk/projects 13 EU funding is helping England’s Northwest to shine

Key projects approved include: • Carlisle Roman Gateway (£1m ERDF) • Cleveleys Promenade (£450,000 ERDF) • Jodrell Bank Science Tourism Destination (£1m ERDF) • Major Exhibitions Programme Tate Liverpool (£880,000 ERDF) • Museum of Liverpool (£3.5m ERDF) • Museum of Science & Industry (£2m ERDF) • Regional Marketing Culture & Heritage (£2.4m ERDF)

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