Alexandra Park in Whalley Range is in line to receive £2 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for its restoration.

Manchester City Council's first round bid, which outlines the proposals for the park's improvement, has been successful in beating off tough competition to progress to the second round of the bidding process.

Passing the first round is an endorsement by the HLF of the outline proposals and means that the project meets the required funding criteria. The city council now has up to two years to submit fully developed proposals to compete for a firm award and is confident that the project will draw further investment from other stakeholders to capitalise on the project and help the park's potential to be realised.

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The funding would help safeguard the park's future, which has served the local community for more than 130 years. It would underpin a major improvement programme bringing back the original Victorian landscapes and returning key design features to the park, including the full restoration of Chorlton Lodge and the Pavilion.

The landscape and building works will provide opportunities for young people to take part in work experience, skills training and apprenticeship programmes and the project will also provide volunteering opportunities for local people.

Councillor Mike Amesbury, Manchester City Council's Executive Member for Culture and Leisure said: "I couldn't be more delighted with the announcement. This is the result of a lot of hard work from many people and shows our absolute commitment to this wonderful park. Alexandra Park is one of the earliest and most complete Victorian Parks in Manchester and is of real importance to our national heritage. We now have the opportunity to restore and preserve the park for future generations and are looking forward to working on the detail of what we are able to do here for the next round of bidding."

(CD/KMcA)