10 YEAR PLEDGE FOR SALFORD’S TECH-BUSINESS UTOPIA

The wholly council-owned company provides offices, conference rooms and support to fledgling start-up businesses in MediaCityUK. Since opening in 2013 the Landing has supported the growth of over 540 new digital, media and creative businesses.

The company also provides support and training to local people, with over 100 schoolchildren and 450 Salford residents participating in Digital Skills programs in the past 8 months.

Supporting over 600 jobs a year in Salford and 1,500 jobs across Greater Manchester, The Landing is seen as a critical part of Salford’s success story around the Quays and MediaCityUK, helping to drive forward Salford’s success as a vibrant digital, media and creative ecosystem within Greater Manchester and nationally. 

Only this year was Salford named as one of the top five cities within the UK for start-up growth.

Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said:

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“Supporting entrepreneurs and new businesses is vital for the growth of our economy, especially at a time when the local council is experiencing horrific cuts as a consequence of government austerity. In the two years up to 2016, businesses at The Landing generated £13.8m in business investment and contributed almost £83m to the UK economy.

“It’s independent businesses, like those supported at The Landing, which bring fresh perspectives and innovation into our business community and help drive forward industrial and economic growth.

“In the absence of a national industrial strategy that truly seeks to rebalance our economy, the present government offers little in practical support for these businesses in areas like Salford. If we want to see ordinary people moving into business and shaking things up and creating opportunities within our city, it’s vital that the council continues to support projects like The Landing.”

“And with the University of Salford and the UTC@MediaCityUK now well established at The Quays training the next generation in digital, media and creative skills, we’re proud to back The Landing for a further 10 years.”

 

Adrian Mills, General Manager for BBC North, said: 

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“The impact of the BBC’s move North has been extraordinary and this has been felt beyond Salford across the whole of the North.

“It is really important to encourage new businesses and it is fantastic to see the local economy at the Quays thrive.”

Salford businessman Alex Seewald, who set up digital software development company Openshadow in 2005, always aspired to be part of the  MediaCityUK community, along with the BBC and other media companies. Openshadow, which has grown from four to 15 staff and is still expanding, develops apps across all platforms for major international companies including Luis Vutton and L’Oréal.

Alex brought his business to The Landing three years ago and said the location is “perfect” and the facilities “excellent.”

“One of the most helpful elements is the incubator programme where they bring in experts and coaches to help you grow your business – whether it’s on when to invest or to help you with your sales or growth strategy. It also means you get to know other companies in the building and we have already worked with a couple on various projects. I hope we will do more of that,”