BRITANNIA does not rule - when it comes to local jobs and businesses.

Plans to bring the Royal Yacht permanently to Manchester have received a royal thumbs down in Bury.

Councillors say that, because it will be near the Dumplington shopping development which they opposed for years, there is a serious threat to local prosperity.

The plan to bring Britannia to Manchester once it has completed its final voyage has come from the Manchester Ship Canal Company. That is part of Peel Holdings who are building the Trafford Centre, also known as Dumplington.

The company says Britannia would be the centrepiece of a heritage park celebrating industrial and maritime traditions.

There would be no hotel or entertainment on board, but the yacht would be preserved as a major tourist and educational attraction.

But Bury councillors, who unsuccessfully fought Dumplington through the courts, have refused to offer their support to the bid.

"We think Dumplington was a bad idea to start with and it's still a bad idea," said council leader Derek Boden.

"It's not just a question of sour grapes. We have to get home to people that what was done at Dumplington was the height of irresponsibility.

"It will create extra traffic on the M62, take trade away from our town centres and affect everyone's lives.

"It's all about giving a particular company a very large slice of the action of retail trade in Greater Manchester.

"I don't think that bringing in the Royal Yacht has got anything to recommend itself in that context."

Coun Boden was not against the idea of having Britannia as a tourist attraction elsewhere in the area.

"It's the association with Dumplington that's the sticking point," he said. "I don't think it's appropriate to do anything that would enhance its credibility."

Members voted not to support the plan at Monday's (Oct 27) meeting of the policy and resources committee.

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