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TOURISM
By Ged Henderson
in association with
EDEN IS NO PYE IN THE SKY PROJECT
John Pye
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John Pye has a challenging programme of work stretching ahead of him as long as the coastline that wraps around Morecambe Bay as he prepares to build Eden.
The 53-year-old became the first official employee of Eden Project Morecambe in March, tasked with driving the £100m visitor destination project to completion.
His remit is to oversee its construction, horticulture and visitor experience while aligning with the Eden Project’s vision of ‘public benefit and sustainability’.
In his role John also has to overcome some of the ‘Eden fatigue’ that exists around an attraction that was first announced in 2018. Originally planned to open last year, it is now looking at welcoming its first visitors in 2028.
He says that despite all the delays there is still a sense of excitement over what has been heralded as a ‘game changer’ for the resort.
However, he acknowledges “It has been a long time coming,” adding: “We are really heading into a more positive delivery phase.”
John says: “There have been processes to go through, which generally happens when you get large government investment into a project. We’ve also had a change of government which wanted to do its own due diligence.
“All that is difficult to portray to the public. But in reality, making sure it is sustainable, not only environmentally but from an investment and long-term operational perspective, is a very important part of the project.
“I would like to think that we are starting
to build some confidence in our plans,” he adds, with £7.5m of the government’s £50m investment being spent to get the delivery team up and running.
John points to the evolved design of the attraction revealed earlier this year as proof things are moving forward. Site investigations have started and people will see holes in the ground.
That will be followed by enabling work in early-to-mid 2026 in readiness for the big build phase at the back end of that year. The internal fit-out is scheduled for 2028, with opening that winter.
In that role he led the development of RHS Garden Bridgewater, transforming a 156-acre heritage landscape into an iconic garden in Greater Manchester. It attracted 500,000 visitors in its first year.
Other positions he has held include director of capital projects at Blackpool and The Fylde College and acting head of project delivery in Lancaster University’s estate management team.
John, who began his working life as an apprentice joiner, says the Bridgewater project highlights the impact such a visitor attraction can have on the regeneration of an area, bringing more inward investment in its wake.
We want people to come to Morecambe,
enjoy the Eden experience and get inquisitive about the area. Even if that is a walk along the prom and lunch in the pub, that’s good
John, who is based in Morecambe Town Hall, points out the construction programme will span three coastal winters. Building something of the size of Eden, with its large shell-inspired biodome structure, by the Irish Sea will not be without its challenges.
Originally from Winmarleigh, near Garstang, he brings more than 20 years of specialist experience to Morecambe, including delivering world-class projects.
His CV includes being head of estates for the north for the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).
He says: “There are similarities with what has happened in Salford and what we are looking to deliver in Morecambe.
“Both developments are about regeneration, education, and health and wellbeing. Social inclusion is also very important.
“Bridgewater has also put a part of the North West on the map that people would not have visited before.”
Eden, John says, has even more going for it, including having the bay as its backdrop and the fact it will be a year-round attraction. And
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