£2.5m funding boost for Eden Project Morecambe

Eden Project Morecambe will benefit from £2.5m of investment from Pears Foundation - the organisation that funds the national charity's Big Lunch event.

The funding will specifically support the Habitations Zone – Eden Project Morecambe's signature experience, focusing on exploring solutions to help humanity shape a better future.

Eden Project Morecambe - which should open in 2028 - is expected to create hundreds of jobs during construction and operation and deliver substantial economic, cultural and educational benefits for local people. Year round visitor numbers are projected to significantly boost the regional economy, supporting businesses, cultural organisations and supply-chain partners across Lancashire and Cumbria. 

The Habitation Zone will consist of four unique spaces, named High Street, Market, Farm and Town Square. These vibrant, theatrical areas will reflect people's daily lives sharing how local place based adaptation and worldwide innovation can collide to help us adopt approaches that can positively impact our planet.

Andy Jasper, chief executive of Eden Project, said: “This milestone £2.5m gift to Eden Project Morecambe will leave a lasting, tangible and transformational legacy for Morecambe, for communities across the North West and the UK.

"We are incredibly grateful for this leadership gift and for the Pears Foundation’s ongoing support for our work with communities across the UK through The Big Lunch.

"Their support brings us another important step closer to creating the extraordinary destination we are building in Morecambe. It will bring people together, connect them with the natural world and create new opportunities for future generations to come.”

Sir Trevor Pears, philanthropist and chair of Pears Foundation, said: “At Pears Foundation, we have always believed in the importance of places that bring people together and help build stronger communities.

"Eden Project Morecambe is a bold and ambitious investment in Morecambe and its people, creating new opportunities while building on the town’s identity and strengths. We’re particularly pleased that our support will help create the Habitations – spaces designed to encourage conversation, participation and exploration of some of the challenges we face.

"We’ve seen through our long partnership with Eden what can happen when people are given opportunities to get involved, and we’re proud to be supporting this remarkable next chapter for Eden and Morecambe.”

Eden Project Morecambe will transform the central promenade into a vibrant, year round destination, featuring striking shell inspired structures housing immersive environments exploring humanity’s relationship with the natural world.