Main contractor in wings for Southport’s £73m Marine Lake Events Centre
Contractor, Graham, is poised to resume work on Southport’s £73m Marine Lake Events Centre (MLEC) after original contractor, Kier Group, parted ways with Sefton Council in December 2023.
The council named Kier as its preferred contractor in March that year to carry out pre-contract work such as removing heritage assets from the existing building.
However, nine months later it was revealed that Kier would no longer play a part in the resort’s major regeneration.
A Kier spokesperson said at the time: “Kier has been proud to support Sefton Council with early enabling works on the Marine Lakes Event Centre and to have played a part in bringing forward this exciting project. Our involvement in the project will not extend to the main construction works, and we wish Sefton Council and the team all the best with this phase.”
In response, Cllr Marion Atkinson, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Skills for Sefton Council, said: “While work is continuing both on and away from the Marine Lake Events Centre (MLEC) site, we can confirm that Kier Group have been informed of our intention to end our pre-construction services agreement with them.
“Sefton Council wishes to thank Kier Group for their work on the MLEC project to date.
Artist’s impression of Marine Lake Events Centre
“The Local Authority and its extensive Delivery and Design team, which includes a number of industry-leading experts, are continuing with all necessary works on site ahead of the planned demolition phase, which will commence in spring 2024.”
She said one of the most recent stages of the project had seen exploratory works relating to existing utilities around the site being successfully completed in record time: “By completing these works swiftly and effectively, we were able to keep disruption to nearby residents, businesses and motorists to a minimum and reopen the Promenade to traffic a week earlier than planned.
“Detailed steps are now being taken to appoint contractors for the enabling and demolition works, along with the main contract for the MLEC project.”
The council is now understood to be close to signing a deal with Graham to step in and complete the scheme which involves the demolition of the former Southport Theatre and Convention Centre.
The proposed MLEC will provide a 1,200-seat theatre, 2,400-capacity conference space, as well as offices, meeting rooms, restaurants, and production facilities.
A Sefton Council spokesperson told TheBusinessDesk.com that confirmation of Graham as the main contractor awaits completion of all the necessary legal documentation.
