The company awarded the main contract to build the Eden Project in Morecambe says they will ensure there are opportubities for smaller firms and young people during the build.

VINCI Construction is to create the Eden attraction on Morecambe’s seafront, where a ground-breaking ceremony was held this week marking the first phase of garden work starting this summer.

The scheme includes two shell-shaped domes, and is expected to kickstart Morecambe’s regeneration and the wider regional economy.

Eden bosses said the original Eden Project in Cornwall has generated £6.8billion for the local economy over 25 years.

VINCI Construction explain how Eden Project Morecambe will be built at an Eden community conversation in the Winter Gardens.

placeholder image — VINCI Construction explain how Eden Project Morecambe will be built at an Eden community conversation in the Winter Gardens.

Speaking at the Winter Gardens in Morecambe at an event to celebrate the start of the building phase, VINCI’s Nick Hamer said they had completed projects across the north west including Kendal and Preston, and have numerous connections they can follow up on to assist them with the construction of the Eden Project in Morecambe.

Richard Slater, contracts manager, said they hope to employ people from Morecambe on the new project.

He highlighted VINCI projects including a Royal Preston Hospital extension, the Radcliffe Civic Hub in Greater Manchester and the One Central Park offices in east Manchester.

He added: “Radcliffe Civic Hub has really transformed the area and got young people into construction, who will hopefully stay with us for a few years.”

Ryann Williams and Phil Allott, construction and engineering course heads at Lancaster & Morecambe College, at the Eden Project Morecambe ground-breaking ceremony with a giant space made by college students.

Eden Morecambe boss John Pye said: “Over the past 25 years, the Eden Project in Cornwall has attracted 25m visitors, £630m has been spent locally with suppliers and there has been an economic impact of £6.8billion across the region.

“Can you imagine what Morecambe will get over 25 years? Eden has really strong local connections in Cornwall and it’s important that we ground this approach in Morecambe too.

“We’ve already held supplier events and people have asked how they can get involved. Now VINCI will be putting a rocket under all that to super-boost our relationships.”

Other organisations involved with Eden include Lancaster & Morecambe College. The ground-breaking ceremony included VIPs posing with a giant 7ft spade made by college welding and joinery students. It showed their skills including wood splaying of a single piece of timber, taken from a felled tree at the college.

People look at an Eden Project Morecambe model at an Eden community conversation in the Winter Gardens.

Ryann Williams and Phil Allott head the college’s construction engineering and engineering courses.

Ryann said: “The college has been involved with Eden for some time and our work together is going to be hugely important for young people and the town.

“The Morecambe Bay Curriculum has been developed and gives a clear route for youngsters through school and college. It has a focus on sustainability including building materials and techniques, recycling and minimising waste.

“Eden will also help us get young people work-ready through work experience and other visits. This will give youngsters important ‘soft skills’, such as communicating and team working, in addition to practical skills and qualifications.

“Also our students want to feel that people care about Morecambe. So there is a lot of positivity about all this and they’re very proud of what’s happening.”