Two squares in Salford are to be renamed in honour of the city’s twin towns in France and Germany.
The area in front of Swinton Gateway and the space outside the Lowry Hotel are to be named Lünen Square and Clermont-Ferrand Square respectively.
The move by Salford City Council is to commemorate 50 years of town twinning links.
Councillor Derek Antrobus, chair of the Town Twinning Forum, said: “Clermont-Ferrand has a Place Salford and a Le Salford cafe so we thought it was time parts of Salford were forever French and German.
“Our friendships with the two cities which have lasted for 50 years will now be set in stone!”
Clermont Ferrand has a cafe named ‘Le Salford’ in its main square
On Sunday 15 May 1966 city planners signed the historic twinning deal with the now 138,000-population Clermont-Ferrand in central France.
50 years ago: Salford makes first French Connection with Clermont-Ferrand
Lünen in Germany was twinned with the former borough of Swinton and Pendlebury from 1966, the link arose from wartime friendship struck up by Mr Les Suggett and a German prisoner of war.
Plaques have been provided for each square by Dandara Group, a real estate firm who have built thousands of apartments in Salford and Manchester.
In February last year the Isle of Man-headquartered company won permission for a huge scheme of nearly 1,000 flats in central Salford near the Lowry Hotel.
CGI of 995 flats being built by Dandara Group in Salford
Read: Tributes paid on death of Jean Lefort, French Worsley town twinning champion 50 years ago: Salford makes first French Connection with Clermont-Ferrand
In the afternoon the mayor of Lunen, Herr Jürgen Kleine-Frauns, will unveil the plaque at Swinton, followed by a free public concert at St Peter’s Church, Swinton, with Eccles Community Choir from 5pm to 6pm.
Adrian Ellis, general manager at the Lowry Hotel said: “We are really pleased to be involved in the 50 year commemoration, especially as we celebrate our 15th anniversary this year.
“Our hotel is experiencing a major upturn in international visitors with increased visitor arrivals from Europe, Middle East and China. We are proud to be part of this growing dynamic market and at the same time appreciating the rich historical links that the hotel has with the city.”
Sean O’Connor, Project Director at Dandara commented: “This commemorative event is an important milestone in Salford’s history – helping to build an even greater sense of community between the twinned cities.
“We have invested considerably in the area over the years, and are just about to commence construction on the adjacent Chapel Wharf development, so it is a great time for us to lend our support and help mark this historic occasion.”
And on Sunday June 26 the VIPs will also plant two trees in Lightoaks Park, Claremont Road, Salford to mark the anniversary, before touring MediaCityUK.
