Everton confirms final construction phase for new stadium with Laing O’Rourke

Everton Football Club confirmed this afternoon (April 13) that it is pressing ahead with the final phase of its £505m new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.

There has been speculation amongst fans whether majority owner Farhad Moshiri would commit to the development given the perilous league position the club is in which could see it relegated for the first time in more than 60 years, with all the dire financial consequences that would bring.

But the club today announced it has signed an agreement with construction giant Laing O’Rourke which will see the contractor deliver the next and final phase of development of the new ground.

A main construction contract, signed by both parties, will see Laing O’Rourke complete construction of the 52,888 capacity waterfront stadium, while also providing Everton with greater certainty as to the cost of the remaining stages of the project.

In a letter to fans, Everton chief executive, Denise Barrett-Baxendale, said: “Our owner made a commitment to deliver a new stadium for Everton and he meant it. He will finish what he started.”

The deal follows on from the pre-contract services agreement (PCSA) signed by both parties in February 2021, and the enabling works contract (EWC), which was focused on delivering the preparatory works at the North Liverpool site, including the in-filling of the dock that was completed in December.

Under the new agreement, Laing O’Rourke will deliver a programme of works which includes the completion of any outstanding enabling works, the full construction of the stadium and public realm, and remedial works to the Grade II-listed Hydraulic Tower, which will be brought back into public use.

Denise Barrett-Baxendale, said: “This is an important agreement at a crucial time for the club and the stadium project. Our agreement with Laing O’Rourke follows on from last year’s pre-contract services and enabling works agreements and brings clarity on the overall costs of our new stadium.

“We are now able to lock-in construction costs, while also benefiting from Laing O’ Rourke’s economies of scale in what is an ever-fluctuating marketplace.

“Mr Moshiri and the board’s commitment to the project remains unwavering and we’ve been delighted by the progress so far.

“Our new agreement signifies that we have the utmost confidence in Laing O’Rourke, who are using the very best digital engineering expertise and industry-leading knowledge of modern construction methods to bring our stadium vision to life.”

Construction work on the stadium began in the summer of 2021, with significant progress made on site as non-listed structures have been demolished, heritage assets removed and preserved, the dock basin repaired and infilled, foundations laid and the concrete structure of four corners of Everton’s new home now starting to emerge from the ground.

Construction is due to finish in time for Everton to play at Bramley-Moore Dock in the 2024-25 season.

Everton’s new home at Bramley-Moore Dock is recognised as the largest single-site private sector development in the country, contributing an estimated £1.3bn to the UK economy, creating more than 15,000 jobs and attracting 1.4 million visitors to the city of Liverpool.

Once complete, the scheme will have acted as a catalyst for more than £650m-worth of accelerated regeneration directly benefiting the nearby Ten Streets development.