PHOTOS: Giant spade goes in ground at Eden Project Morecambe as August start date revealed

The first spade has gone in at the Eden Project Morecambe site at a 'breaking ground ceremony' after bosses said actual work on site will begin in August.

Hundreds of people gathered on the central Promenade in sizzling temperatures on Wednesday as a giant spade - created by two young people from Lancaster and Morecambe College - marked what the Eden CEO described as "history in the making".

Eden said the event was a "defining before construction moment with the Morecambe community coming together on the cusp of transformation to celebrate being part of something that will shape the town for generations to come".

Andy Jasper, Eden Project CEO, plunged the ceremonial spade into a mound of earth in the Promenade gardens in a symbolic moment.

Morecambe Brass Band performed songs including the iconic 'Bring Me Sunshine' during the ceremony. 

The ceremony followed a 'Community Conversation' event at the Winter Gardens on Wednesday afternoon.

Hundreds of people were given an update on timescales for actual work getting under way, which has been long anticipated by supporters of the £100m scheme since it was first announced in 2018.

The project team and partners said that groundworks will begin this August on a new 1.5-acre, free-to-enter community garden called 'the Bring Me Sunshine Garden'.

This will be the first phase of the development, set to open in spring 2027.

The start of the main build will follow in late 2026.

The garden won two awards at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May.

Speakers at the Winter Gardens event on Wednesday afternoon included Andy Jasper, John Pye, Eden Project Morecambe project director, Richard Slater, Nick Hamer and Hannah Bailey from main contractors VINCI Building. and Councillor Caroline Jackson, leader of Lancaster City Council. 

John Pye

Guests at Wednesday's event included Amanda Parker, His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire, who gave a speech ahead of the ceremony, Dave Collinge, High Sheriff of Lancashire, Lizzi Collinge, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, and Eden Project’s original co-founder Sir Tim Smit.

“This was a momentous occasion – ceremoniously putting the giant spade in the ground, with so many hundreds of people to witness this incredibly powerful moment before construction begins which means so much," said Andy Jasper.

Andy Jasper pictured on Wednesday with the giant spade

“As the charity Eden Project marks its 25th anniversary this year, we’ve been reflecting on those early days in Cornwall when people stood together on a former clay pit in 2001, at the very beginning of something that would go on to become a world-renowned charity and visitor destination.

"That project has since welcomed 25 million visitors and pulled in £6.8 billion to Cornwall and the South West region, and it all began with a moment just like this. 

“We are now firmly on track to begin work on site this August. A huge amount of work from the partnership has gone into getting everything in place so that when we start, we can hit the ground running. 

"I hope people look back at this moment with such pride, knowing they were part of history in the making.”

John Pye pictured with a ceremonial digger at Wednesday's ceremony

In April, Mr Jasper told BBC Radio 4 that "spades go in the ground on June 24" which many took to mean that work on site would begin today.

Read more: Date announced for spades in ground at Eden Project Morecambe - Beyond Radio

But earlier this month he clarified the situation, saying this would be the date of the breaking ground ceremony described as "the 'clay pit moment' before construction starts".

Read more: Breaking ground ceremony confirmed as work set to start on Eden Project Morecambe - Beyond Radio

A design image showing the entrance to the Eden Project Morecambe

One of the nation’s favourite gardening experts, BBC Gardeners World TV presenter Carol Klein was announced at the event as a new ambassador for Eden Project Morecambe.  

“Eden Project Morecambe is going to be transformative for people who live locally and for the North West region," she said.

"I share the excitement ahead of work starting this summer and I'm absolutely delighted to offer my support. The breaking ground celebration taking place marks a wonderful moment for the people and community and all those who are behind this project to gather and share. 

“Meeting the talented young adults who helped design the Eden Project Bring Me Sunshine Garden showcased at RHS Chelsea demonstrates the incredible potential not just to cultivate beautiful gardens and planting, but to nurture potential and shape a bright future.

"That's been a big inspiration for me becoming an ambassador for Eden Project Morecambe - my own connections to Morecambe and wonderful days spent there, so I plant my spade in the soil in solidarity with you all today." 

People waving at a drone camera during Wednesday's ceremony

Earlier this year, VINCI Building were announced as the main contractor for building the Eden Project Morecambe.

Richard Slater, VINCI Building’s Contracts Manager, said: “This was a fantastic moment to be part of – bringing together so many people from across Morecambe to celebrate what is a truly significant step forward for the town.

"As main contractor, we’re proud to be playing a role in helping bring Eden Project Morecambe to life. We’re now moving from vision to reality, and events like this highlight just how much the project means to the local community. 

“We’re committed to working closely with partners, stakeholders and local people throughout the build, ensuring the project not only delivers an exceptional destination, but also creates lasting opportunities and benefits for Morecambe and the wider region. It’s inspiring to see the strength of support behind the project, and we’re excited to get started on site in the coming months.” 

Councillor Caroline Jackson, leader of Lancaster City Council, said: “Seeing so many people come together for this historic event really brought home what this project means to our community. 

People queuing outside the Winter Gardens for the Eden Community Conversation on Wednesday. 

“Eden Project Morecambe brings a wonderful sense of hope to the town: it is the opportunity to create jobs, to inspire young people and bring new energy and investment into the district. At this time when we need to understand our environment and how to live sustainably, Eden brings us both knowledge, passion and entertainment. We’re incredibly proud to be part of making it happen and look forward to seeing this important next chapter in Morecambe’s story unfold.” 

Councillor Stephen Atkinson, leader of Lancashire County Council, said: “Today’s celebration shows the level of support there is for Eden Project Morecambe and the excitement around what it will bring to the town and a catalyst for regeneration and prosperity.  

“This project will have a lasting impact not only in Morecambe but across Lancashire, creating jobs, attracting visitors and supporting economic growth for years to come and it is encouraging to see the project reaching this stage at a time when Morecambe and Lancashire are preparing to welcome the Tour de France next year. Both will bring new attention to the area and highlight the scale of ambition we have for the future. I look forward to seeing work begin on site and to watching the project take shape.” 

The Rt Hon Alistair Burt, Pro-Chancellor of Lancaster University, said: “As a civic university and a founding partner in this ambitious project, Lancaster University is deeply invested in the health and vitality of our local and regional communities and economy. The Eden Project Morecambe initiative will help us to further capitalise on our wide-ranging research strengths to drive impact and research to improve health and wellbeing, education, engagement, economic development and sustainability of Morecambe, Lancashire and beyond. We are thrilled to be part of this exciting step forward today.” 

Bosses said Eden Project Morecambe remains on track to open in winter 2028.

A design image of Eden Project Morecambe

They said the attraction will be "an immersive visitor destination celebrating the natural rhythms, ecology and heritage of Morecambe Bay" that "will transform the central promenade into a vibrant, year-round destination, featuring striking shell-inspired structures housing immersive environments exploring humanity’s relationship with the natural world".

Once complete, the project is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and to support more than 1,000 jobs across construction and the wider regional economy.

Eden Project Morecambe is being delivered, on the former Dome and Bubbles site and surrounding central Promenade area, by the Eden Project – the globally recognised educational charity, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year – working in partnership with Lancaster City Council, Lancashire County Council and Lancaster University, with the support of UK Government investment.