Shanghai Expo 2010 will be worth cost, says Wirral Council leader Steve Foulkes

Nov 25 2009 by Matt Hurst, Birkenhead News

Shanghai Expo

Wirral Council is committing £28,000 of public money to take part in Shanghai Expo 2010, but with cuts on the horizon is it a good use of scarce resources? Matt Hurst reports

THE borough may have a budget that runs into millions but recent closure threats show how valuable a few thousand pounds can be.

Council leader, Cllr Steve Foulkes thinks the investment is worthwhile, describing it as an “A1 chance to put the Liverpool City Region, including Wirral, on the map”, and Peel Holdings, who are the driving force behind the authority’s presence consider it “absolutely vital”.

But while Conservative leader, Cllr Jeff Green is said to be broadly supportive, his colleague Cllr Chris Blakeley says “if Peel want council officers there, they should pay the bill”.

Two officers will be sent to Shanghai for two weeks to “sell” the borough and “work their socks off” according to Cllr Foulkes.

An estimated 70 million people will pass through Expo 2010 and, with no other British region represented, business leaders seem to agree it’s £28,000 well spent.

Neil Dutton, regional organiser with the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), told the News: “Many small businesses are looking to now trade beyond their local boundaries and are realising the potential in trading overseas.

“For those who are investigating such development this is a great way to get involved and declare an interest. It is a mark of the returning confidence in the region that there is a presence at Shanghai, and the potential benefits to the region will, I hope, make it worthwhile.”