Plans to create a second Eden Project in the north of England have been boosted by government support of £50m funding.
The major new attraction will be built across the border of Yorkshire on the north west coast, in the Lancashire seaside town of Morecambe.
Just over an hour and a half's drive away from Leeds, suffice to say we're pretty excited about the idea. It certainly beats the nearly six-hour drive down to Cornwall currently required if we want to make a trip.
The new eco-tourism attraction has been named as one of more than 100 projects across the UK to win a share of £2.1bn from the government's Levelling Up fund.
Part of a wider project aiming to "re-imagine Morecambe as a seaside resort for the 21st Century", Morecambe's Tory MP David Morris said it was absolutely "mind-blowing" news.
The investment will cover half of the £100m needed to build the highly anticipated coastal-themed attraction.
Hoping to replicate the success of Cornwall’s Eden Project, the Eden Project Morecambe (originally named the Eden Project North) will focus on marine life and will feature three impressive shell-shaped pavilions overlooking Morecambe Bay.
An artist’s impression image of Eden Project North / Credit: Eden Project North
The attraction is scheduled to open in 2024 and will appeal to people keen on art, science, adventure, play and performance as well as nature.
Eden Project Morecambe is expected to provide “significant economic, environmental and social benefits” for the area.
Those familiar with the original Eden Project in Cornwall will recognise Eden Project Morecambe as a similar attraction combining “exhibits, performance, learning, play, immersive experiences, world-class horticulture, art, food, beverage and retail spaces”.
NEWS: Eden Project Morecambe has been awarded a £50m investment by the Gov’s Levelling Up Fund. Thank you to the #Morecambe community and our partners for their unwavering support and contribution: @LancasterCC, @LancashireCC, Lancashire Enterprise Partnership & @LancasterUnipic.twitter.com/dCWxeAQEGU
It hopes to bring together “health and wellbeing” and “wonder and entertainment” through its various zones.
Chief executive Rob Chatwin said it was a "historic moment" for the town and the surrounding areas. "We will now continue to work hard with our partners to make this vision a reality."
Credit: Eden Project
Mr Morris said the funding decision had "quite literally changed Morecambe forever. Five years of work has finally come to fruition and, after lobbying four prime ministers and six chancellors, and more meetings and debates in Parliament than I can count, I am absolutely delighted.
"What started off as a dream has now become reality and this will secure prosperity in Morecambe for generations to come."
A £1.6m grant has been given by the government to Leeds City Council to help tackle rough sleeping.
The funding has been allocated to Leeds City Council as part of the Government’s national Rough Sleeping Programme.
The overall target is to help rough sleepovers off the streets by Christmas through providing safe accommodation.
The council have said that voluntary organisations and charities will be able to help them reach this target.
The council report said: "This funding will be used for immediate interventions to ensure all those rough sleeping have an offer of accommodation by Christmas and support longer term sustainment of accommodation.
“The initial target is to provide a suitable offer of accommodation for everyone who is rough sleeping by Christmas 2026.
“Providing a path into supported accommodation and independent living is the key objective and sustaining this independent living with, where necessary, ongoing support to prevent any return to rough sleeping and homelessness.”
The government announcement spoke of the scheme: "The programme is intended to support people experiencing rough sleeping.
"People experiencing rough sleeping may have differing entitlements to housing and support depending on their individual circumstances, including their immigration status and eligibility for public funds."
The funding is intended to help provide immediate support for people currently sleeping on the streets, while also helping them access longer-term accommodation and the support needed to maintain independent living.
By working with local charities and voluntary organisations, the council hopes to ensure people are not only offered a place to stay but are also given the help they need to avoid returning to the streets.
M&S launches massive recruitment drive in Leeds with hundreds of jobs available
Emily Sergeant
M&S has launched a massive recruitment drive across Yorkshire.
With the festive season fast approaching, and most British stores having already unveiled their Christmas ranges for 2026, one of the country’s largest brands has launched a massive UK-wide seasonal recruitment drives to gear up for what is always one of the busiest times of the year for the retail industry.
M&S has announced it will recruit for plenty of new colleagues across the UK.
As mentioned Christmas is one of the busiest moments of the year for M&S, and seasonal colleagues play a ‘vital’ part in delivering that.
Image: Supplied
New recruits will be tasked with helping M&S deliver a ‘brilliant’ service for customers.
Stores with vacancies span the whole of Leeds - including city centre, Moortown, Crown Point, White Rose Shopping Centre and Pudsey.
M&S says the roles are ‘fast-moving and hands-on’, with colleagues required to work together to make sure customers still get the very best of M&S, even at its busiest.
The roles will pay £13.41 per hour, with successful applicants receiving the training, tools and support needed to get up to speed quickly.
“We can’t wait to welcome over 300 new colleagues to our store teams here in Greater Manchester,” commented Zeba Khan, who is the Regional Manager at M&S.
“As we get ready for our busiest time of year, it’s a great opportunity to join us and help bring a magical M&S Christmas to our customers.
“We have a range of opportunities available, whether joining our city centre flagship or our fresh market-style foodhalls. We’re looking for colleagues who are passionate about delivering great customer service and being part of a team.”
Fancy it then? Applications are now open, and you can find out more and apply on the M&S Christmas careers page here.
The Hoot -
19th January 2023 
