Eurotunnel is at the centre of one of the richest and most densely populated regions in Europe
Eurotunnel is breaking down the barriers that prevent successful collaboration and partnerships - literally bringing people and businesses together. Eurotunnel is working to stimulate economic regeneration and create employment, providing more reasons for people to cross the Channel.
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Previous PageRegional Development
Eurotunnel works with local authorities to support regional transport and tourism projects. Eurotunnel is closely involved with initiatives to revitalise the Shepway district's tourism industry and regeneration of the town centre, through "Discover Folkestone" and "Folkestone Town Centre Management". Eurotunnel is represented on the county's inward investment body, Locate in Kent, and the Kent Tourism Alliance. In France, Eurotunnel is represented on Calais Développement, NFX, the inward investment body for Northern France, and the Conseil National d'Économie Régionale.
Developing the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region
Encouraging more people to visit and stay longer in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais is an important part of Eurotunnel's contribution to regional development. Eurotunnel owned land has been developed in conjunction with local authorities and partners to enhance the region's attractiveness to tourists.
The landmark development, Cité Europe, was the first shopping complex with a truly European appeal when it opened in 1995. Today, Cité Europe attracts over 10 million shoppers every year, 35% of them from the UK. Three new hotels opened on the site in 2002 encouraging people to stay longer and discover more of what the region has to offer.
In December 2003, Marques Avenue, a 10,000m2 designer outlet centre opened on Eurotunnel owned land, close to Cité Europe. This development brings a new dimension to cross-Channel shopping, focussing on luxury, branded goods sold at a discount, and creating 220 new jobs.
Future development
Eurotunnel is actively promoting further projects on land it owns. These include:
- a satellite of the Louvre in Calais ;
- a 27-hole golf course and residential resort in Sangatte ;
- an information and orientation centre to introduce visitors to the Côte d'Opale ;
- a tourist attraction based on the theme of transport and communication designed to build on Calais' unique status as a travel hub.
A dynamic cross-border community
Eurotunnel believes there are opportunities for more ambitious projects to create a dynamic cross-border community. Living in France but working in the UK is already a reality for a small group of people. However, improved transport links could create the conditions for a more dynamic community.
From 2007 the second phase of the UK's high-speed rail line will cut journey times from Calais to London to just 55 minutes. New intercommunity modes of transport, such as regional trains operating through the Channel Tunnel, would also help stimulate closer cross-border relations.
University of the Transmanche
Eurotunnel is already helping to facilitate exciting, new cross-border projects such as the University of the Transmanche. Bringing together the Universities of Kent, Lille, and the Littoral, the University of the Transmanche will welcome its first students in 2004. The University is part of an agreement signed by Prime Minister, Tony Blair and President, Jacques Chirac at the Anglo-French summit in Le Touquet in 2003.