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£20m Titanic tale to tell

7:05am Tuesday 15th July 2008

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A multi-million-pound tourist attraction telling the story of Southampton's legendary passenger liners is being planned for the city, the Echo can reveal.

The £20m Titanic and Ocean Liner Experience', the only one of its kind in the country, would attract many thousands of people to Southampton every year.

The ambitious project is scheduled to open in spring of 2012, which coincides with the 100th anniversary of the sinking of Titanic.

The brainchild of two local businessmen, the scheme would see the development of a purpose-built waterfront centre featuring exhibitions of many of the great passenger ships from Southampton's maritime past right up to the present day.

Remarkable story Glen Gardiner, who is working on the scheme with book publisher and film producer, Roger Hardingham, said: "For generations our docks have been the home port for some of the greatest liners and cruise ships the world has ever seen. However there is nowhere in the city where this remarkable story can be fully told.

"The Titanic & Ocean Liner Experience would give visitors the chance to see for themselves what it was like to walk the decks and see something of the magnificent surroundings of ships old and new.

"Our aim is to create the first attraction dedicated to the great passenger liners of the past with special features on RMS Queen Mary and RMS Queen Elizabeth and a whole area of the experience for the dramatic story of White Star's ill-fated Titanic.'' Now the search is on for suitable premises to house the attraction and the developers have also been involved in initial discussions about funding.

A meeting has taken place with representatives from other museums and local heritage interests to discuss the possibility of pooling resources.

"We are looking for a waterfront location and have talked to several parties about possible sites,'' said Mr Gardiner, who works in Southampton's shipping industry.

"An area close to the the Royal Pier maybe available as are other sites along the River Itchen. There is also the possibility of siting the attraction on the other side of Southampton Water close to Marchwood and Hythe which would be linked with the city by a ferry service.'' Mr Gardiner was working in the French shipbuilding town of St Nazaire in 2002 when he visited a local attraction called Escal'Atlantic, an exhibition tracing the history of old liners such as SS Normandie and SS France together with an exhibition on how Southampton's Queen Mary 2 was built in the nearby shipyard.

"Our goal is to build the Titanic and Ocean Liner Experience along similar lines to Escal' Atlantic but base it on the great British ships plus a special and comprehensive area dedicated to Titanic,'' he said.

"We want to recreate many of the areas onboard the famous Queens and visitors would be able to relive the thrill of an Atlantic voyage, lunch in the grand dining halls and walk the promenade deck.''

Find out more at... www.oceanlinerexperience.co.uk



Your Say YourThis is Hampshire

Sotonian, says...
8:10am Tue 15 Jul 08

Good luck to them, something like this is long overdue. Question is, will the council open their eyes and support something like this, or just put obstacles in it's way?

The 100 year anniversary of the Titanic is a once in a life time opportunity for the city to get world wide attention. Belfast have already stolen a march on us with their plans, I hope we have some people with vision in the Civic Centre who can make the most of 2012... or will it be another damp squib?

Mr nobody, somewhere says...
8:32am Tue 15 Jul 08

It always makes me laugh when I read captions saying ‘ Southampton’s Queen Mary 2' you would have thought the city itself funded the money to build these ships!

I’m sure Carnival cruise line would be happy for a donation to build the next one!!

Kevin, Maybush says...
9:07am Tue 15 Jul 08

The Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth had Liverpool across their sterns, which is where they were registered, not Southampton. An not sure, but think the same applied to the Titanic.

Curious, says...
9:39am Tue 15 Jul 08

"the Echo can reveal"

Is this the same Echo that has two of the five people involved in the project listed as Echo employees?

Source: website mentioned in the article.

southy, redbridge says...
11:27am Tue 15 Jul 08

Kevin wrote:
The Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth had Liverpool across their sterns, which is where they were registered, not Southampton. An not sure, but think the same applied to the Titanic.
are we on about the first or the second QE and QM.if they was lloyd registered then it would be london

Keith Oftergrass, says...
11:36am Tue 15 Jul 08

Is it wise to have an exhibit focussing on a terrible maritime disaster for passengers about to board a ship ? Especially all the old people that tend to go on these cruises.

What next, a graphic Herald the Free Enterprise show at every ferry terminal ??? A Lockerbie simulation ride at Heathrow ?

Here's another great scheme that isn't going anywhere !

Adrian Smith, says...
11:43am Tue 15 Jul 08

Keith Oftergrass wrote:
Is it wise to have an exhibit focussing on a terrible maritime disaster for passengers about to board a ship ? Especially all the old people that tend to go on these cruises. What next, a graphic Herald the Free Enterprise show at every ferry terminal ??? A Lockerbie simulation ride at Heathrow ? Here's another great scheme that isn't going anywhere !
Spot on.

The Titanic needs a dedicated museum - but making it a "must see" for those about to cruise is not the answer.

There are a number of city-wide venues which could host special exhibitions during 2012 (art gallery, Turner Sims entrance, West Quay mall). A smaller, no frills, permanent museum about half the size of the existing maritime museum would be ideal.

realist, says...
11:55am Tue 15 Jul 08

Like this project will ever get off the ground with this inept council !!

Great idea...being the port it sailed from & many of those died coming from Southampton, this city REALLY needs something to celebrate the anniversary.

BUT we all know how the council will celebrate it dont we??? another pathetic fireworks display

Fred, Southampton says...
1:05pm Tue 15 Jul 08

Why can't he understand that destiny lies ahead of us instead of being rooted in the past.
In seeking to move forward with it's cruise business does Southampton REALLY want to perpetuate it's infamy as the home port for an unsinkable ship that sank on it's maiden voyage?

Fred, Southampton says...
1:08pm Tue 15 Jul 08

Why can't he understand that destiny lies ahead of us instead of being rooted in the past.
In seeking to move forward with it's cruise business does Southampton REALLY want to perpetuate it's infamy as the home port for an unsinkable ship that sank on it's maiden voyage?

Frankie, Southampton says...
1:40pm Tue 15 Jul 08

I really hope an exhibtion is put in place for this great ship it would be fantastic and as stated already 'long overdue'....

Time will tell. Heres hoping it gets the go ahead I for one would love to see it happen.

frankie, southampton says...
1:44pm Tue 15 Jul 08

I would love to see an exhibtion of sorts in honour of the Titanic it would be excellent, and as stated long overdue!

Here's hoping something is put in place permanently. It would be a great tourist attraction for Southampton.

Bright Spark, Stubbington says...
2:00pm Tue 15 Jul 08

Why dont the council build a giant Titanic propellor monument, which could double as a giant wind turbine that could supply the erm ... I don't know actually.

AGB, Southampton says...
8:11pm Tue 15 Jul 08

Bright Spark wrote:
Why dont the council build a giant Titanic propellor monument, which could double as a giant wind turbine that could supply the erm ... I don't know actually.
Someone else said that about a Spitfire propeller a while back, they could have two and it could supply the citys electricity and alsorts. what an exellent idea.

Jeff, Hedge End says...
8:14pm Tue 15 Jul 08

I think it's a **** idea.

chris k, starboard says...
1:39am Wed 16 Jul 08

many sceptical they points surrounding the somewhat morbid theme of the plans. Surely it could not work. What ever next, a movie based on the events? Of course that would never take off now.

J Smith, Southampton says...
9:52am Wed 16 Jul 08

Does Glen Gardner speak for the Port of Southampton?? What of their input to such a scheme? You think they would have a say? At this time the Cruise industry is growing year on year with more and more investment being pumped in. ABP/Carnival UK have already fronted up £19million for a new Cruise terminal to go with the 3 that already exist. Cruise passengers don't generally stop off in the city prior to embarkation, they go straigh to their ships. I don't believe we should be celebrating a shipping disaster, there has been enough of that. Let us look to the future of Cruise and the Port of Southampton.

Positive, Southampton says...
3:16pm Wed 16 Jul 08

It's a shame that some people are so narrow minded and negative about everything.
Some of the comments above are very dissapointing.
The 'Titanic & Ocean Liner Experience' is at a very early stage of planning and the point of this article is to draw awarness to it and gather support for it. The 'Experience' will be a fantastic showcase of the rich and diverse maritime heritage Southampton has and has been involved with. Titanic is just one area that we are looking to feature in the 'Experience'. More and more cruise lines are beginning to use our city as a port of call with six ships visiting this year with international (mostly U.S. & German)passengers that will be looking to explore our city as well as spend spend spend. Next year it is hoped that more cruise Lines will also 'call in' to Southampton. I appreciate that many passengers go on day / half day trips out of the city but many will also be looking to find the links with Titanic and other famous Maritime related places of interest and the 'Experience' will be an excellent exhibition of the cities history detailing many stories about the ships and events that have been to Southampton.
The 'Experience' will also be looking to include a virtual cruise facility (perhaps sponsored by the cruise lines) and gove visors a taste of what a cruise is like. ALL visitors leaving the 'Experience' will have had a fantastic time and will no doubt be keen to take a cruise, maybe from Southampton. Hopefully a viewing gallery will be included where visitors can view the cruise ships and ocean liners in port. Lots of ideas. Please visit the website www.oceanlinerexperi
ence.co.uk to leave your comments, suggestions, ideas and feedback.

David, Coast says...
4:46pm Wed 16 Jul 08

This project is basically what Southampton has been talking about for a very long time - a bigger maritime museum. We are not "celebrating" the loss of the TITANIC - we are commemorating. There is still a massive interest in our maritime history - it is not "dead" as some might suppose from previous comments. Portsmouth Historic Dockyard attracts thousands, so why shouldn't a good maritime attraction in Southampton, at one time the "Gateway to the World" because of its docks!

xavier, Soton says...
8:05pm Wed 16 Jul 08

The idea is a sound one and, if properly funded and presented, would have the potential to be a major attarction for Soton. Lord knows the city is in need of one.
However a suitable location is a challenge as is the (considerable) funding to set up and operate. I very much doubt that local businesses would stump up (especially in todays economic climate). The only prospect would be a lottey grant and these seem to go to northern cities

Comments are closed on this article.

Liner Experience: Glen Gardiner, who is planning a new tourist attraction, with Saga Rose, one of the many cruise ships that now visit Southampton. Liner Experience: Glen Gardiner, who is planning a new tourist attraction, with Saga Rose, one of the many cruise ships that now visit Southampton.

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