A leading light in the Eden Project Morecambe says he expects tourism to the area to start rising even BEFORE the new attraction opens its doors.
Tim Narey was speaking at the launch of the new Morecambe Bay tourism guide at the Midland hotel on Thursday.
During a Q&A, Mr Narey, project manager for the planned Eden Project Morecambe, was asked by Morecambe hotelier Mal Neill about whether there will be contractors staying in the area during the two-year building of the £100m attraction on the Promenade.
This, said Mr Neill, would help guesthouses, hotels and B&Bs in the months before Eden eventually opens, which is planned for 2026.
Mr Narey said he expected "tourism numbers to start to rise rapidly even when we are under construction" - as the Eden Project in Cornwall site (pictured below) had around 600,000 visitors during the building phase.
He also said the targets were for around 500 full-time workers to be on site during the construction phase, and 80 per cent of the workers would be local, with some specialists coming from out of town.
During a speech to representatives of local businesses and organisations, Mr Narey said that gaining £50m of government funding towards the project in January had been a "truly momentous occasion".
He also said that the Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who visited Morecambe hours after the funding news was announced (pictured below), had since sent a letter, saying "how fantastic he thought Morecambe was, and he could really feel the buzz here".
Mr Narey also praised the recent Baylight event which pulled around 20,000 people to Morecambe Promenade for the town's first ever festival of light.
He said it was "absolutely fantastic to see what you can do on a February weekend in Morecambe".
Related Story: VIDEO and PHOTOS: Thousands enjoy hugely successful first ever Morecambe festival of light - Beyond Radio
Mr Narey (pictured below, right, with Mark Prada, chair of Bay Tourism Association) said that when Eden Project Morecambe opens, there will be a special membership scheme for locals, as well as a 'Locals Pass' and 'Locals Days' for residents of the area, as these schemes had been successful at the Cornwall attraction.
And he also said he expected the Eden Project Morecambe would be "world famous" and pull in a large amount of visitors from overseas.
Related Stories: INTERVIEWS: Morecambe Bay tourism guide launched with Eden Project on cover - Beyond Radio
INTERVIEW: Eden Project Morecambe on track for second £50m funding and 2026 opening - Beyond Radio
Police issue quicksand warning after riverbank danger for school pupils in Lancaster
Lancaster animal shelter launches 'Big Build' fundraiser to help save charity
LISTEN: Morecambe "definitely submitting a bid" to become first UK Town of Culture
Heysham Port upgrade blamed for traffic chaos 'trapping residents in their homes'
LISTEN: Tourism champs hail Eden Project and Tour de France as huge for Morecambe Bay area
Donation helps college pan ability football team to play in national championships
LISTEN: Meet the new manager of the Midland Hotel in Morecambe
LISTEN: Main contractor to build Eden Project Morecambe to be announced this month
£1.2m of funding for flood defence schemes in Lancaster district announced
Morecambe Bay hospital trust unveils new painless blood test
Thousands raised to help boost return of Lancaster Music Festival
High street computer games shop in Lancaster closes down
LISTEN: Carnforth actor wins Hollywood and Paris awards for horror film role
"1600 potholes repaired last week" says councillor as roads debate rumbles on
Burger King takeaway in Lancaster city centre closes down
Morecambe lifeboat crew reunite dog lost on sands with owner
New Morrisons Daily supermarket opens in Morecambe
Council investigate after derelict food trailer found dumped in Lancaster layby
Man charged after pedestrian died in Morecambe hit and run
LISTEN: We go out on Pothole Patrol in Morecambe
