Browse Sections

• Education
• Special reports

'City would not be affected'

14/ 4/2005

TRENDY shops and boutiques in Manchester would not suffer if the Salford Reds' retail development goes ahead, according to the region's business leaders.

Kirsty Rawlinson, policy manager for Salford with the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, has said shops in Manchester will be unaffected by retail outlets selling bulky goods at Salford Red's proposed stadium complex.

However, the ambitious multi-million pound project would, she believes, attract thousands of tourists into the city and place Salford higher on the agenda for businesses and would-be investors.

She said: "The type of shops in Manchester tend to cater more for a niche market and therefore wouldn't be affected by something like a B&Q or furniture store opening up in Salford. They wouldn't be in competition with the city centre - it shouldn't be an issue."

But Ms Rawlinson added: "A development like this would do a great deal to put Salford on the map and raise its profile just like The Lowry did. It has attracted millions of tourists and developments like this would do the same.

"The Chamber holds lots of events annually and we are always looking for places where we can invite businesses."

Our next event is at the Bolton's Reebok Stadium but the conference facilities at the Salford stadium sound like they would be ideal for future conferences to show off what the city has to offer."

Published 14 April 2005