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

Lindsey Ashworth, director of Peel Developments – the firm behind the Wirral Waters scheme, said: “Those who go to the trouble of engaging with Chinese businesses at this stage will inevitably get a headstart on others.

“When the UK starts to move out of this recession, Wirral will not want to miss out on job creation in its area, and it certainly will if it does nothing.”

But Conservative Cllr Chris Blakeley feels there are more pressing matters. He said: “There is a bigger picture, and I’m not opposed to exhibiting Wirral to the world, but council tax payers shouldn’t have to pick up the bill for a trip for council officers to Shanghai when the administration can’t get the basics right.”

Cllr Foulkes believes the “bigger picture” outweighs other concerns, and a commitment to Shanghai could lead to major Chinese businesses setting up in the borough.

He said: “For our contribution and the potential return we get out of it, I think it’s a good deal. You tell me where in the world you could advertise a product for £28,000 to 70 million people and I’ll rip your arm off.”