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Olympics
construction firm on board for Exhibition Centre Liverpool
MOVES to develop a
world-class exhibition and events facility on Liverpool's Waterfront
have taken a significant step forward, with the appointment of a
contractor for the scheme.
Following a competitive tender, ISG has been granted the contract to
deliver the £40 million development at Kings Dock, which will form
part of ACC Liverpool, home to BT Convention Centre and Echo Arena.
International construction services company ISG was responsible for
the construction of the 6,000 seat London 2012 Velodrome, finishing
ahead of schedule and on budget. It was the first venue on the
Olympic Park to be completed and became one of the most iconic
facilities of the 2012 Games.
The appointment of ISG means Liverpool can drive forward with its
plans to deliver the 8,100 sqm, 3 hall Exhibition Centre Liverpool (ECL),
along with an integrated hotel which will be developed by the City
Council. The City Council is seeking an operator to manage the
upscale hotel.
The City Council and ACC Liverpool will now work with ISG to further
the design of the exhibition centre and hotel, with a planning
submission scheduled to be submitted in March 2013. Construction of
the new facilities is set to commence in autumn 2013, with a
scheduled completion date of spring 2015.
Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson said:- "I'm
delighted that we have secured such a high quality contractor for
this vital scheme. ISG has an excellent track record in delivering
large-scale, international projects and its appointment brings our
vision to deliver a world class exhibition centre at Kings Dock a
major step closer to reality. Building on the success of ACC
Liverpool, Exhibition Centre Liverpool will continue our City's
transformation into one of Europe's leading destinations for
large-scale conferences, exhibitions and events. It will bring major
economic benefits to our City, providing a massive boost for local
businesses and creating jobs. It's all systems go now and I'm
looking forward to us working together in the coming months to
progress these exciting plans."
Plans for Exhibition Centre Liverpool include a public atrium, food
and beverage outlets, meeting rooms and a business centre. The three
halls will each be 2,700 sqm and will be separated by movable walls.
The facility will be capable of hosting trade and
consumer exhibitions, concerts and sports events on a national and
international scale.
The arrival of Exhibition Centre
Liverpool will increase the existing 7,125 sqm of exhibition space
at ACC Liverpool to 15,225 sqm of interlinked and flexible event
space.
It will be directly connected to the existing facilities at ACC
Liverpool, via a covered link, making the venue the only
purpose-built interconnected arena, convention and exhibition centre
in Europe.
In its 1st year of operation, Exhibition Centre Liverpool is
expected to host about 50 events and attract more than 250,000
visitors.
It is estimated that the
exhibition and event programme will support 1,300 jobs in the wider
economy and contribute in the region of £40m per year in economic
benefit to the Merseyside area.
David McDonnell, Chairman of ACC Liverpool, said:- "Exhibition
Centre Liverpool will see us extend our capabilities and allow us to
welcome hundreds of thousands of additional visitors to even more
events. Appointing ISG, a renowned building contractor with a strong
reputation, will help us develop this exciting project. We are
confident that the company will deliver a fantastic venue which will
contribute hugely to the development of Liverpool Waterfront."
The City Council is also moving forward with plans to deliver a
hotel as part of the development. A procurement process will begin
shortly to identify an appropriate hotel partner to work with the
Council, ACC Liverpool and ISG to design and construct the hotel
element. The integrated hotel will play a key role in
attracting national and international events to ACC Liverpool and
will support the wider hotel economy in the City.
ISG's Jim Parker, managing director – North West, added:- "We
are delighted to have been appointed as part of the team delivering
this world class venue on Liverpool's waterfront. As part of our
commitment to generating a highly positive legacy and maximising the
regional economic benefits of this key construction project, we will
be working closely with the skilled local supply chain, as well as
providing community employment and training opportunities. Playing a
key role in the continuing vision for the development of Liverpool's
waterfront is an incredibly exciting proposition and we are
relishing the challenge of delivering a venue that will further
strengthen the City's credentials as a world class business and
leisure destination."
Liverpool City Council has been working closely with the Homes &
Communities Agency (HCA); the current site owners of Kings Dock; to
release the 7 acres of land adjacent to the existing Arena and
Convention Centre. An agreement in principle has been reached for
the granting of a long lease to facilitate the development.
Funding for the facility is being raised through borrowing supported
directly from the revenue generated by the Centre, so that the
project will be at no cost to tax-payers. It will be wholly owned by
Liverpool City Council and managed by the existing ACC Liverpool
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CCTV APPEAL TO
FIND SNEAK THEFT
MERSEYSIDE Police have
released a CCTV picture of a man they want to speak to in connection
with a purse theft at a bank in Southport. They told the media in a
press release that:- "A woman had been using an ATM inside
Barclays bank in Lord and was checking her statement when the
incident occurred. The offender is believed to have stolen her pink
leather purse after she placed it on a desk near the entrance in
order to read her statement. He fled on foot and turned right down
Lord Street. The incident happened shortly before 4pm last Friday, 2
November 2012."
Southport neighbourhood inspector Gary Fairbrother added:-
"This woman was going about her daily business when she has had her
purse stolen by an opportunistic thief. Although not hurt in any
way, this lady has been left very upset that someone would take her
property like this and we are doing all we can for her. I am keen to
hear from anyone who recognises the man in the CCTV as we believe he
may have information who can help our investigation. I would also
encourage people to keep their belongings safe, secure and
preferably out of sight, even when inside shops and other business
premises. Most thieves are opportunistic and it is up to the Police
and the law-abiding public to work together to make life as
difficult as possible for them."
If you have any information, please do call Merseyside Police on:-
0151 777 3055 or call Crimestoppers on:- 0800 555 111 and help to
stop this man from doing it again!
Liverpool's 2012 Remembrance
Service
LIVERPOOL'S Lord Mayor will
lead the Annual Service of Remembrance, which will take place on
Sunday, 11 November 2012, at the Cenotaph on St George's Plateau.
The service starts at 10.55am, and will this year mark the 30th
anniversary of the Falklands War. After The 'Last Post'
a firing gun, at 11am will mark the start of a 2 minute silence
across the City, followed by the laying of wreaths at the Cenotaph.
The Lord Mayor of Liverpool, Councillor Sharon Sullivan, said:-
"Liverpool's Remembrance Service is always a poignant occasion
and an opportunity for us to show our appreciation for the men and
women from our armed forces, past and present. We should never
forget the sacrifices made by others during times of conflict and I
would urge everyone to wear a poppy and show their support for our
service personnel and the work of the Royal British Legion. The
British Legion work tirelessly for the benefit of service men and
women and their families and the annual Remembrance Service is time
to show our support and stand shoulder to shoulder with them."
Following the 2 minutes silence, prayers of thanksgiving and
re-dedication will be said by The Chair of the Liverpool District of
the Methodist Church, Reverend James Booth. Singer Danielle Thomas
and The Band of The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment will then lead the
congregation in singing The National Anthem. After the service
there will be a short parade and march past, after which individuals
will be invited to lay their own wreaths on the Cenotaph.
The Southport Round Table Helps
the Southport Soup Kitchen
THE Southport Round Table
on 5 November 2012 presented a cheque to Gill Dempster of Southport
Soup Kitchen, on London Street, Southport, for the amount of £250 in
order for them to purchase urgently needed supplies. "I
approached Tesco, Lesley Kirkbride, the Community Co-Ordinator,
beforehand and they added to the donation with a further £100. I
spoke with Pauline Liddiard, Secretary, and Justin Dempsey at the
Soup Kitchen and they were delighted with the £350 donation."
said Ryan Lewis, Chairman Southport (43) Round Table.
Pauline said:- "The Soup Kitchen has been open
for ten years and is manned totally volunteers and provide For the
needs of the homeless and disadvantaged, who come from all walks of
life young and old. Sadly, many youngster come from broken homes and
are trying to survive in bed-sits, often sharing with others. The
kitchen is allowed by Sefton Council to be open Saturday and Sunday
only, from 11.30am. to 2pm. Each weekend approximately 160 people
are provided with hot meat and vegetable stew, sausage sandwiches
(very popular), fruit pies and custard, hot and cold drinks, cakes
and biscuits. Fresh fruit is also provided. Each Sunday food hampers
are distributed to help provide some nourishment for a few days.
Support is also given to several local families, who for the 1st
time ever, find they have to accept charity. When appropriate we
will, if possible, fund deposits for flats. Deposits being paid
directly to the landlord involved. Sleeping bags are also provided.
Like everyone, the kitchen has running expenses, rent, Council Tax,
Water Rates and of course food bills keep rising. It is only by the
support from local people and various local charities that it can
keep going." |
