Member Article

Chester’s cultural centre to attract visitors - and an annual spend of over £16m, says study

Chester’s new theatre, library and cinema complex could attract over 625,000 visitors each year – with almost one third coming from outside the city, according to an economic impact study.

The research was carried out by Liverpool-based economic, social and regeneration specialists, Amion Consulting.

Amion describes the £37.05m cultural centre as the ‘most significant capital development’ in Chester since the 1970s, and estimate that the project could generate £16.9m of gross expenditure annually.

It is forecast that £20.3m of the total could be generated within the wider area of the Cheshire and Warrington Local Economic Partnership.

Work is expected to start on site in February, 2015, and national construction giants, Kier Construction, have estimated that 250 people will be employed any one time and a total of 1,500 throughout the contract period.

In addition, Amion estimates that around 385 jobs will be created directly and indirectly by the cultural centre and that this number could increase as the events programme becomes more established.

Chester’s cultural centre is projected to generate around £6.7m of Gross Value Added – the economic measure of goods and services produced in an area – each year and £1.3m of net additional GVA within the borough.

“The project is not only important in providing a much needed expansion to the city’s arts provision but also in terms of its potential impact on the local and wider economy, says the consultant’s report.

“It will be a key component in supporting the growth of Chester’s visitor economy, helping to create new jobs as well as safeguarding existing employment.

“And it will address an identified gap in the city’s visitor offer, attracting additional people and expenditure to Chester and the wider sub region and encourage people to stay longer.”

Chester City Councillor Stuart Parker, Executive Member, Culture and Economy, said: “Amion highlights the fact that the creative industries sector is recognised by government as one of the country’s key growth sectors which is exactly why the culture centre is so important to the future of this city.

“It is generally accepted that every £1 spent on culture, creates a further £6 within the local economy.”

Councillor, Samantha Dixon said: “We have always campaigned for the Odeon building to be used as the new site for the cultural centre because the regenerative benefits will feed directly into Chester’s economic heart.

Local traders, hoteliers and restaurateurs are working hard to survive in a very difficult economic climate and putting the centre in their midst clearly offers a vital economic boost.“

Artistically, Amion expects that the primary performing arts hub for Chester and Cheshire, will act as a catalyst to raise the creative sector’s aspirations as a centre for local regional and national professional artists.

To be managed by Chester Performs, it will present the best touring work, aiming to become a first choice venue for the country’s top touring companies. It will also produce and co-produce shows for Chester and touring, contributing towards the development of a ‘Made in Chester’ brand which national audiences can look out for at their local theatre.

Social and Educational benefits will include the creation of a meeting and organisations to placed and social hub and the opportunity for young people to pursue careers in the creative sector.

Chester’s cultural centre will provide a focus for audience development and outreach working with other organisations and agencies, ensuring that people from disadvantaged areas, have opportunities to enjoy and participate in the performing arts.

It will also provide support to Primary and Secondary schools, helping them to engage with drama, dance and creative writing and provide a major opportunity for volunteering work with thousands of hours available in the theatre and its facilities.

Economically, it will assist the regeneration of the immediate locality; diversify and enhance Chester’s night time economy; attract more visitors and encourage more to extend their stay.

Enhancing Chester’s reputation as a major cultural tourism destination and increasing the city’s profile, regionally and nationally, it will stimulate employment in local creative industries and encourage businesses to locate to the area.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .