Wythenshawe is usually seen as the poor relation to neighbours like Altrincham, Hale, Bowdon and Cheadle and, in the past at least, has been rife with social problems stemming in part from the decline of local manufacturing industries.

The district’s malaise was highlighted to shameful effect when the Index of Multiple Deprivation 2000 ranked the Benchill ward poorest in the country. In the same index four years later almost half of  Wythenshawe’s residents fell into the poorest 5% of communities in England.

According to an invitation to tender seen by How-Do, a survey conducted by postgraduates from Manchester University has played a key part in convincing the council that something has to be done to alter these now ingrained negative perceptions.

The research imparted that external audiences consistently mention perceived problems of crime and the term ‘run down’, while a third of those interviewed could not name one positive aspect about Wythenshawe at all.

The tender goes on to discuss that such beliefs are out of step with the regeneration work and investment that has flooded into the area, capped off by the £130m transformation of the town centre (which, unfortunately, the same document then goes on to refer to as the £130 transformation – something interested consultancies are advised not to focus on).

Broadly speaking the aim of the Council and its partners is to create a brand that will communicate to external audiences the changes that have occurred in the area, while engaging with residents and bolstering their sense of pride in Wythenshawe.

This is to work in tandem with the desire to position the settlement as ‘Manchester’s Garden City’ – a vision that falls in with the Strategic Regeneration Framework published in 2005.

Agencies that feel they can rise to the challenges of the brief face an application cut off date of 6th November and a budget of £30,000.

http://www.manchester.gov.uk/

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