Government budget confirms £50m Eden Project Morecambe cash is secured

The confirmation was made as part of Wednesday’s budget, the first under the new Labour government.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said that funding for "core Levelling-Up fund projects" such as Eden would go ahead as planned.

Lizzi Collinge, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, said she was delighted at the news.

"I am really excited to confirm that we have got the full funding for Eden Project Morecambe,” she said.

"It was never in any doubt but it’s really good to see it in black and white.

"I am so happy that we have delivered this for you. People in Morecambe have worked so hard to make this happen, all the partner organisations, all the local businesses, I am so very proud of every one of you, well done.

“This will be transformational for the area. The project will a⁠ttract £50m of Government investment, create 1,400 jobs and bring almost a million visitors a year to Morecambe.”

The former Conservative government pledged £50m towards the £100m prom attraction in January 2023, of which £5m has so far been paid out.

A further £50m will come from private and philanthropic funds.

Eden bosses presented a business case for the project to the government in the summer, and earlier this month Si Bellamy, the Eden Project’s chief transformation officer, reiterated the team’s desire to get the ball rolling on developing the site as soon as possible.

Eden plan to announce the design team for the project in the coming weeks following a tender process.

Initial on-site work is expected to take place some time between November and March 2025, with construction work likely to begin in 2025/26 and the latest estimated opening date set for 2028.

The new Eden attraction will be located on the site of the former Bubbles complex, close to the Grade II* listed Winter Gardens and Midland Hotel.

The next Eden Community Conversation will be held online on Tuesday November 5 at 1.30pm. You can register on the Eden website at https://www.edenproject.com/new-edens/eden-project-morecambe-uk/eden-project-morecambe-community-conversations