To be read in conjunction with RMBC press release about Magna finance

25th November 2015

John Silker, chief executive of Magna Trust, said: -The future of Magna is looking bright.

Our event bookings are up by 14 per cent this year and are on target to top £1m. We get bookings from all over the country. For example we recently hosted conferences for Wickes and Volkswagen." -Our visitor numbers are holding steady and each year we host about 30,000 school children on educational visits." -Since I took over in 2013 the plan has been to cut the need to borrow money and we are confident that we will be in a position to stand on our own two feet going forward." -We very much appreciate the ongoing support of Rotherham Council and we continue to work closely with them as we move in to an exciting future." -We have several projects in the pipeline, to continue to develop Magna as landmark venue; create jobs and bring investment into the area. For example we have been talking to hotel developers about possible development on the site." -What many people don't realise is that, unlike many other attractions, galleries and museums, we do not receive grants which we can keep. Instead we pay back money we borrow at commercial rates of interest and we will continue to pay that money back to Rotherham Council." -As a giant former steelworks Magna is a true cathedral to industry and an important part of the region's industrial heritage.