The Secret That Is Salford

LAST year Salford was suddenly thrust onto the radar, heralded as the new home of soon-to-be-built Media City: UK. The BBC then announced it was relocating five of its departments there, and the future suddenly looked sunny for Salford. But while plans and preparations for the media revolution continue to take shape, regional screen agency Northwest Vision and Media, says Salford already has much to offer film and TV production companies.

And in recognition of the part Salford is playing, the city has been named filming Location of the Month by Vision and Media, which works on behalf of the TV, film, radio and digital content industries to grow a world-class media economy in England’s Northwest.

“Just as LS Lowry was an artist looking for his own distinctive way of painting and drawing, so too has his home town of Salford been searching for something which sets it apart from neighbouring big brother, Manchester. And when it comes to fantastic filming locations, I certainly think Salford has found it!” says Susan Williams, Greater Manchester Film Liaison Officer for Vision and Media.

With excellent road and public transport links to all parts of the UK, the 37 square-mile city covers five districts of Salford, Eccles, Worsley, Irlam and Cadishead, Swinton and Pendlebury, and has a population of 220,000.“Salford is bigger than most people think, although in the past it’s often lost out in filming terms because neighbouring Manchester is more known,” explains Susan.

The River Irwell runs between the two cities, and it’s a waterway Susan urges production companies to cross. “Although just a short walk or tram ride from Manchester, Salford is a completely different sort of city, with many fantastic locations all waiting to be discovered,” she says.

Numerous productions have already filmed there, but they’ve hardly scratched the surface of what Salford can offer to the screen.The city's six waterways and watersides are key regional and national visitor attractions. Indeed, not only does Salford have Britain’s largest inland waterway, but it also has the UK's only orange canal, together with wetland, ponds and a fishing lake. And The Quays houses world-class attractions like The Lowry and Imperial War Museum.

“Salford also has another hidden secret, The Cliff, which I’m certain will become a top filming location once more production companies hear what it has to offer,” says Susan. The Cliff Training Ground is the former home to Manchester United’s first team, but when they moved out the building became the base for the academy Manchester United Foundation’s football in the community scheme.

Adam Temple is the centre’s Disability Football Development Officer. “There’s still a lot going on here, with coaching for community and disabled children taking place most evenings, but as a training ground for the first team The Cliff’s not been used for eight years.”

It was in 2000 that Manchester United relocated to Carrington, to a multi-million-pound training complex offering state-of-the-art facilities. The Cliff does still see some premiership action, however, with members of Manchester United often calling in to take part in the children’s training sessions. Among the facilities on offer today to production companies is the huge indoor pitch, viewing gallery, classroom, canteen, kitchen, changing rooms, gym, medical room and doctor’s office. And, of course, there’s the flood-lit grass football pitch and parking.

Inevitably, the ground has seen lots of filming over the years. “Whenever a programme about Manchester United’s history is made, The Cliff plays an important part in the film,” explains Foundation spokeswoman, Rachael Pilsbury.

But now the ground is hoping to make an even greater impact on the filming world, by offering all its facilities to production companies – including access to the famous team bath, dressing room – and even the manager’s office, previously occupied by greats like Sir Matt Busby, Ron Atkinson and Alex Ferguson.

“The Cliff is an important part of Manchester United’s and Salford’s heritage, but many people don’t know that these facilities are still here, and available to production companies,” says Susan. “The ground’s got so many diverse facilities all housed in one location – and all virtually un-touched since the first team moved out in 2000.” The Cliff has been used for training by premiership teams from across the country. Even England has used its facilities. And of course the MU players who have trained there is impressive, from Bobby Charlton to George Best, Cantona to Beckham, The Cliff has seen them all.

“There’s still a special atmosphere around the place, you can almost feel its history. In many ways it is like a museum or a tribute to the players that trained here as it has been left in its original state,” says Adam. But if Vision and Media has it way, The Cliff will soon be seeing more live action on the pitch, as cameras roll and capture it all.