Alexandra Park in line for £2million improvements

Alexandra Park in Whalley Range is in line to receive £2million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for its restoration.

Manchester City Council's first round bid, which outlines the proposals for the park's improvement, has been successful beating off tough competition to progress to the second round of the bidding process.

Passing the first round is an endorsement by the HLF of the outline proposals and means that the project meets the required funding criteria.  The city council now has up to two years to submit fully developed proposals to compete for a firm award and is confident that the project will draw further investment from other stakeholders to capitalise on the project and help the park's potential to be realised.

The announcement is good news for the park, which was unsuccessful in a previous bid for funds last year. Manchester City Council and local residents have never wavered in their commitment to the park and news of this progress is the result of much hard work by the city council and friends' group to put together a revised bid.

The funding would help safeguard the park's future, which has served the local community for more than 130 years. It would underpin a major improvement programme bringing back the original Victorian landscapes and returning key design features to the park, including the full restoration of Chorlton Lodge and the Pavilion.

The landscape and building works will provide opportunities for young people to take part in work experience, skills training and apprenticeship programmes and the project will also provide volunteering opportunities for local people.

Councillor Mike Amesbury, Manchester City Council's executive member for culture and leisure said: "I couldn't be more delighted with the announcement. This is the result of a lot of hard work from many people and shows our absolute commitment to this wonderful park. Alexandra Park is one of the earliest and most complete Victorian Parks in Manchester and is of real importance to our national heritage. We now have the opportunity to restore and preserve the park for future generations and are looking forward to working on the detail of what we are able to do here for the next round of bidding."

Designed in 1869 and officially opened in 1870, Alexandra Park is considered one of the finest examples of a Victorian Park in the North West. It is characterised by its sweeping lawns, lime tree avenue and its innovative design which made it one of the first public parks to combine facilities for sport with the Victorian fashion for promenading.

It is still a highly valued and well-used park that has recently seen improvements to play and sport provision.

The city council has been working with a range of partners to add value to the Alexandra Park Heritage Lottery Bid and improve the sports facilities in the park. The Tennis Foundation and the Lawn Tennis Association are two organisations that have been involved with the scheme from the outset.

Lancashire Regional Development Manager for the LTA, Scott Reid said: " We are excited about the prospect of developing Alexandra Park and the benefit it could bring to the tennis and wider community. We have been, and will continue to work with Manchester City Council to attract additional investment to improve the park's tennis facilities which will bring greater opportunities to develop tennis in the heart of Moss Side and Whalley Range."

The Friends of Alexandra Park have also worked with the council to provide community-based activities and events in the park.

Alexandra Park's current bid for funding has been made to the HLF's Parks for People scheme, which uses Lottery funds to support the regeneration, conservation and increased enjoyment of public parks.