The Lowry Applauded from All Sides
Salford City Council has hailed as ‘fantastic’ the reaction and response of people to The Lowry.
Since opening in April last year the national landmark millennium project for the arts has seen more than 700,000 people visit the showpiece attraction on Salford Quays.
And city bosses say The Lowry has already exceeded their expectations and is doing what they promised it would do – acting as a catalyst for further investment in the area.
Work is now well underway on the land next to The Lowry – with developments including the Digital World Centre, a new multi-screen cinema and the Manchester Outlet Shopping Mall – as well as the Imperial War Museum - North, on the Trafford Wharf side.
Other opportunities are also being developed on Salford Quays - including Pier Nine, across from The Lowry, which has planning permission for office, residential and leisure space.
Council chiefs are also hailing the critical success of The Lowry as the building, the galleries and the theatre performances have all won awards and plaudits from visitors and media from across the country and beyond.
City council leader and Lowry Trustee Bill Hinds said: “There is no doubt about it – The Lowry has proved to be a fantastic success. When the original vision for The Lowry was proposed, we said it would act as a catalyst for investment into the area.
“That is exactly what has happened. More and more investment and building work is happening on Salford Quays, much of it a result of The Lowry. People and organisations want to be a part of The Lowry’s success and who can blame them? Salford now has one of the best arts and theatre facilities in this country.
“And it’s not just the city council saying that. Journalists from TV and radio and writers from national newspapers, arts magazines, building magazines, architecture magazines and the local newspapers have all said how impressed they have been with the building, the galleries and the shows.
“But we have also heard similar sentiments from the people – from the local area and further afield – who visit the building or come to see a show. Many have remarked how great it is to see such a fantastic venue in Salford.
“We always said The Lowry would be a success and, as Salford celebrates its 75th year as a city, it is one that the people of Salford can be rightly proud.”
Posted on Wednesday, 03 January 2001 under Press General Press