He said it was about bringing massive new investment to the area.
Eccles is a town in Salford(Image: Sean Hansford / MEN)
A Reform UK councillor in Salford has announced plans to turn part of the city into the ‘UK’s Dubai’. Michael Felse was elected as Salford’s first Reform councillor in the Barton and Winton by-election last month.
And in one of his first proposals he has argued for Eccles to be transformed in a way similar to the Gulf state. Dubai is known for its luxury lifestyle, warm climate, and towering skyscrapers.
While the weather in Salford and Dubai is very different for most of the year, Coun Felse spoke about a vision for a ‘long-term future based on cultures, art, innovation and quality jobs’ in the city.
Click here for the latest on Greater Manchester’s politics in our newsletter
Labour councillors in Salford have hit back at the Reform councillor’s plan – saying people in Eccles ‘do not want to be the next Altrincham and certainly not the next Dubai’
Reform UK Councillor Michael Felse said: “Close to Eccles Central and linked by heritage, I envision a cultural connection with Dubai, attracting millions of new investment into art and culture design projecting from Morrison to the M602, and extending past Barton linking in a collection of heritage gems including the underfunded Viaduct and water crafts centre of excellence along the Bridgewater canal.
“Eccles as UK’s Dubai would provide thousands of new jobs and creative opportunities for our young people including the pride of place taking a leading input into significantly making a leap of faith by recognising a wealth of society and heritage in Barton and Winton.”
Coun Felse’s masterplan would see the area of Salford, which is home to the Barton Aerodrome, become ‘a centre equal to Dubai DXB’.
Setting out the vision, he added: “Twinning the world’s best talent with painted markets, linked by artistic tunnels in a spectacular and vibrant energy.
“Tunnels built to ease pathways to modern living that will bring jobs to build new experiences with a spectrum of art and colours.
“As newly elected ward councillor, my work begins on bringing a new and exciting great initiative to Barton and Winton.”
Pressed on how the transformation would be achieved, Councillor Felse explained that the ‘bedrock’ of the plan would be for a new ‘AI Academy for Arts, Culture, AI and Community Leadership’ in Salford.
He added: “Successful graduates can expect over £100k a year jobs in public sector work seen recently advertised in the press.
“Sited aside the [Salford Community] Stadium offering 6,000 student places including AI on line at £9k a year each, triggering investing £54million a year income into Barton.”
Eccles already has its own regeneration masterplan based around the shopping centre.
Labour-led Salford council has outlined a scheme to build up to 1,272 new homes alongside redesigned streets, and a new community hub for events.
The proposals include a ‘refreshed retail offer’ with cafés, food and drink spaces, and areas for everyday services such as health and wellbeing services.
In a statement, the Labour councillors in the Eccles ward said: “As a new councillor Cllr Felse may be unaware of the advanced development of the masterplan for Eccles town centre which has been kick started by a £10m investment from the council and government and has commenced with the start of phased demolition of the Eccles Mall.
“We’ve been delighted to work closely with our community, local businesses, and a wide range of partners to develop an Eccles Vision that works for everyone.
“Through extensive community engagement, local people have been clear about what they want for Eccles, a town centre that is somewhere they can live, work, meet, eat and play.
“What people in Eccles have been absolutely clear about is that they want a better Eccles.
“They do not want to be the next Altrincham and certainly not the next Dubai. Dubai was not raised in the consultation.
“So suggestions of turning Eccles into “the next Dubai” do not reflect either the reality of the plans or what the community itself has consistently asked for.”
They also urged the Reform UK councillor to ‘reflect upon’ how residents, businesses and other partners are already involved in Salford’s regeneration schemes.