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'They want to dominate us'

14/ 4/2005

MANCHESTER'S opposition to the Red's stadium scheme is typical of their strategy to "suck all investment" from neighbouring areas.

Professor Alan Harding, of the Centre for Sustainable Urban and Regional Futures at Salford University, believes Manchester's attempt to stop retail development in Salford reflects the city's desire to dominate the north west.

But he says that while the Red's development would be insignificant compared to the might of Manchester's economy, it could provide a vital boost to initiatives battling to reverse 30 years of decline in Salford.

He said: "One of the successes of Manchester is that it has a very determined group of people, including politicians and people in the city council, who want to suck all investment coming into the region into their city."

Professor Harding has worked closely with the Housing Market Renewal Strategy in Salford and Manchester, and has been a consultant on regeneration efforts in Manchester's Hulme and Moss Side areas.

"The Reds development of bulk retail is ideal for Salford because there are few retail estates of that nature which are easily accessible for people living here.

"Salford has been in decline for about 30 years. That decline is just now starting to bottom out but the development of something like a stadium can have all sorts of benefits for the economy of an area."

Published 14 April 2005