David Moutrey - Director of th Cornerhouse - interviewed 2002

MyVillage caught up with David Moutrey, director of the Cornerhouse, Greater Manchester's international centre for contemporary visual arts and film. We asked him about the Commonwealth Games and the impact it is having on Manchester...

Have the Commonwealth Games made a big difference to the city?
Yes. I was at the opening ceremony last night, and coming out, walking through east Manchester, it was like a party. There were apparently 37, 000 in the stadium but there were also 7000 performers on stage, plus all the stewards, security, catering. It was huge! The stadium is almost like a little city built around it. 'Sports City' is certainly the right name for it.

Has the city physically changed?
It's looking a lot cleaner and brighter. It's the best I've ever seen it, in fact. I was going to Manchester cathedral for a service - in memory of the bombing in 1996. It was the biggest bomb in mainland Britain since WWII and it makes you think - this is a city recovering from all that.

The atmosphere well, it was pure community. And it makes you think back to what the city was like before that, and where we've come from and it's just down to great determination and creative thinking. My colleague was in the city centre in Exchange square watching the opening ceremony on the big screen and the atmosphere, she said, was great.

Do you think the games will have a lasting effect on the city after the games are over?
If nothing else there's a huge sports complex down at Eastlands. When you think about it, the city of Manchester has delivered a stadium for less than has already been spent on the Wembley development. When the games are over, the bulldozers will come in and take away the track, then there will be more seats put in and a football pitch; so there's a lasting benefit.

We've got an Olympic standard swimming pool too. It's all part of a huge regeneration bringing in jobs and the games are the biggest thing to happen to us since the end of the industrial revolution. When all of these things come together at the same time, it maximises on the PR for the city. Looking at the papers today, The Times The Telegraph, and The Independent - all of them are saying very positive things about the start of the games and that has to be helping us.

Do you think the city has a more cosmopolitan feel with the influx of all the different nationalities?
Yes, if you look at the opening ceremony, every community in Manchester was represented. 10 000 volunteers are involved, giving information or helping with security.that's a big thing

Do you think Manchester would be a good venue for the Olympics at some stage in the future?
It would be unlikely that we'd get them. IOC recognise capitals, so a London bid would stand more chance of success. Here in Manchester, we could deliver, no question. Whether Britain would get behind it is another thing altogether, you know. The UK understands London, but can you imagine what the press would say about Manchester?

There's been a big point made about money, which is a very English thing. In the Sydney Olympics there was no mention of money, but with Manchester they keep referring to the games as a, '£12 million ceremony.' In Britain we do have a propensity to knock ourselves, and I think it's worse because it's Manchester.

When you think about it, the Millennium Dome was built in London, when it really should have been built in Birmingham; everyone knows that. But when Birmingham looked like it would be the place, everyone was up in arms and said it should be in London - the centre of the universe. And it ended up being a complete flop, whereas I don't think Manchester games are going to be a flop, and it will cost a fraction.

How has the Cornerhouse prospered in the run-up to the games?
We're very busy with tourists, athletes and visitors popping in, the city is just very busy. And its lovely to see so many families, most schools have finished so people are making day trips together.

How well do you think the British will do in the games?
Well, by the law of averages, we've got the biggest team, so that means we should do quite well. The value of a home crowd is enormous.

Do you think the World cup made the commonwealth seem less significant than it would have otherwise been?
Not for us, but for how people have felt outside the city. I couldn't say.

Cornerhouse Galleries
70 Oxford Street
Manchester M1 5NH
tel: 0161 228 7621

MyVillage, 05th May